“I’ll go with you, Zach,” T.J. piped up. “But why that direction?”
Zach shook his head. “Something keeps niggling at me to ride back the way Odessa and I came into town. It’s the only direction I’d know to look for her, and I think Axel could figure that out.”
“Sounds reasonable.” T.J. tightened the holster strap around his leg. “I’m ready when you are.” He smiled. “Guess it’s a good thing I haven’t stabled our horses yet.”
Zach jumped from the walkway to the ground and leaped astride Storm. He waited while T.J. mounted, and as they reined away from the hitching post, an idea popped into Zach’s head. He widened his eyes at his partner. “I’m thinking maybe he’d take Odessa to the way-station where he helped kill those three people. According to the Sheriff, no one has taken over the place and it’s just sitting empty. What better place to hole up and wait.”
T.J. nudged his horse to keep up. “Sounds like a reasonable plan all right. But don’t be the love-starved pup Axel’s counting on you bein’.”
Zach slowed Storm. “Whadda you mean?”
“You can’t ride hell bent for revenge and forget he’s expectin’ you. He’ll be watching the trail and setting up an ambush. And it doesn’t take anyone with half a brain to know that I’ll be comin’ along. Axel’s no fool. He’ll be ready.”
Zach nodded. “You’re right. We’ll have to find a way to take him by surprise. But how?”
“By arriving by the back door. We’ll cut off the trail a few miles from the station. While he’s keeping an eye trained on the normal route in, we’ll sneak up on him.”
“Great idea.” Zach leaned back against the saddle cantle. “You know, I’d have come up with the same plan if you’d given me a chance.”
T.J. snickered. “I have no doubt.”
Zach nudged his boots into Storm’s sides. “Let’s get going. We’re burning moonlight. If we hurry, we should get there late morning.”
* * *
Odessa slowed her steps. The hectic pace she’d kept since sneaking out was taking a toll. Even if she’d managed to brave mounting a horse and riding bareback, Axel might have caught her before she had a chance to get out of the corral. The thought of a mounted escape had crossed her mind, but she didn’t ride well without a saddle. Her chances of staying on the animal were minimal at best, without something to grasp. She chastised herself for at least not setting the animals free.
Her breath came in rasps, and her heartbeat raced. She glanced over her shoulder for the umpteenth time, and then released a long sigh at detecting no movement. Her fear of Axel far exceeded anything else she might happen upon.
Thankfully, the half-moon overhead provided light enough to see her way and discern foliage from what the eerie silhouettes suggested. She kept an ear cocked for noises, but heard only the scuffling of her own feet.
If only she’d brought water. Her mouth smacked of the dry and cloddy earth she traveled. In her panic, she hadn’t given thought to how much time would pass before she reached help. She hadn’t thought about anything except escaping Axel’s sexual advances. Had he regained consciousness yet? Did he know she was gone? She looked over her shoulder again, and consoled herself with the knowledge he wouldn’t know which way she traveled. In fact, she didn’t either.
* * *
Odessa blinked hard to keep her eyes open. The hint of sunlight on the horizon to her right predicted the morning’s arrival. She’d walked for miles, and her feet recalled every step she’d taken. Her shoes pinched her toes and bit at her heels, but thankfully, she’d gotten through the night. At least with the rising sun, she had her bearings. She moved in a northerly direction—away from Tombstone, the stage station, and sadly, away from Zach and the future she’d dreamed of. Maybe their being together wasn’t meant to be.
Every bone in her body screamed for rest. She wasn’t naïve enough to believe she could walk all the way to Phoenix without food and water, but if she could make it far enough to get back to a beaten path, she might be lucky enough to be found. But by whom? She chewed her bottom lip. Would she ever reach a time in her life again when she had no worries?
Tombstone, Charleston, even Tucson were being overrun with outlaws and riffraff. What were the chances a decent person would find and help her? Even with the sadness and fear that grasped her, she lacked moisture enough to cry. She found a spot next to a barrel cactus and, crossing her ankles, dropped to the ground. A short rest and time to think might give her the renewed strength she needed to carry on.
* * *
The sunrise sat just below the horizon and highlighted the way station in the far distance. The growing warmth predicted a hot day. Zach reined Storm off the trail and stopped. He swiveled in his saddle and glanced at T.J., halted alongside him. “Should we travel the rest of the way on foot?”
T.J. removed his hat and swiped his arm across his brow. “Probably not a bad idea. Axel will be watching the trail. Better to come in from a different direction and take him by surprise.”
Zach dismounted and pulled the reins over Storm’s head. “Guess we’ll walk, then.” His stomach clenched. Odessa wouldn’t be in the predicament if not for him. Visions he preferred to ignore flashed in his head. He massaged the furrows creasing his brow. “I just hope the son-of-a-bitch hasn’t touched her.”
* * *
Odessa remembered a story Pa told about the barrel cactus and how it frequently saved the lives of unfortunate travelers stranded in the desert without water. She licked her dry lips again and eyed the pretty orange flowers blooming atop the prickly plant. How did one get past all those spikes to find the sustaining liquid inside? Driven by thirst, she struggled to her aching feet and scanned the area for a sizeable rock. It took a while, but she found one. Standing over the cactus, she brought the stone crashing down, several times, before the plant split. The exertion left her breathless.
She fell to her knees and gingerly slipped one hand inside, cupping the fleshy pulp, feeling the liquid seep through her fingers. Withdrawing a fistful, she held the wetness to her lips and sucked, then winced at the acrid taste. She slurped just enough to ease the dryness in her mouth and flicked away the rest.
She sat back on her heels and sighed. So tired, she wished for a bed to curl up in. Her gaze scanned the endless desert, and her heart sank. How far did she have yet to walk? Was Axel following? She had to push on. She refused to wait and find out.
Odessa started to get to her feet when she heard a rattling sound. Her heart seized. Holding her breath, she sank back to the ground and looked around. Just beyond the cactus coiled the biggest snake she’d ever seen. Had she walked all this way to die?
“Whenever you get into a row be sure and not shoot too quick. Take time. I’ve known many a feller slip up for shootin’ in a hurry.”- Wild Bill Hickok
Chapter Twenty Five
Odessa sat perfectly still, barely breathing, her eyes trained on the rattler. She had always heard that when frightened and preparing to defend themselves, snakes coiled. Maybe if she didn’t move and posed no threat, the creature wouldn’t strike. A sharp pebble dug into her calf, but she bit her lip, refusing to shift her weight.
She closed her eyes and waited. Her life had been reduced to one nightmare after another starting with Papa’s death. Everything that happened since that horrid day in the desert replayed in her mind. Familiar faces raced through her thoughts: Papa, John Harper, Alf Rearden, Flo, Bess, and her dear, dear Zach. Tears seeped between her eyelids, but she dare not stir. She chanted words of encouragement in her mind to remain strong, but time dragged.
The Arizona sun, which had climbed higher in the sky, beat down with relentless fury. Sweat trickled between her breasts and dampened her brow. She’d sat for such a long time, every muscle in her body cramped. Finally, she peeked through her lowered lashes, her gaze fixed on the spot where she’d last seen the snake. The critter was gone. She swiveled her head from one side to the other, but saw nothing. Relief washed over he
r like a breath of fresh air. A loud exhalation fluttered her lips and she laughed aloud.
The laugher seemed out of place given her situation. Now, all she had to do was walk until she found help.
* * *
The horses, tethered to a sturdy bush behind the lean-to barn, nibbled on dried grass. Zach stood with T.J. and peered around the barn’s corner, watching for any movement within the house. Nothing stirred. Zach motioned for the deputy to circle to the far side of the house, and he crept from the rear toward the front. He stopped every few steps and listened. He heard only his own breath.
On the porch, he drew his gun and steeled himself for confrontation. When T.J. signaled he’d reached his backup point, Zach kicked open the door. “Show yourself, Axel. Come out with your hands up. I’m not alone.”
The room was empty, as was the bed beyond the parted curtains. Zach, moving cautiously, kept his pistol ready and elbowed his way through the hanging partition. The rumpled covers indicated someone had been on the bed. He knelt and swiped his finger through something dark and wet amidst the broken glass littering the floor. Blood! Whose was it? He swallowed hard.
“Zach!” T.J. summoned. “What’s going on?”
“They’re not here,” Zach yelled back.
T.J. appeared between the curtains. “Looks like someone put up a struggle.”
Zach held up his reddened fingertip. “And someone got hurt.” He wiped the blood on his pant leg and lowered his head. “God, what if it was Odessa? What’ll we do now? We have no idea where they went.”
“Calm down,” the lawman urged. “We’ll find them.”
“But how?” Zach stood, his jaw tense.
“Let’s take a look around. Maybe we can pick up their trail in the yard.”
Zach followed T.J. outside. Feeling helpless, he shadowed his friend while he scoured the ground for clues to which direction Axel had taken Odessa. The lawman walked from the corral to where the yard ended at the trail, knelt and traced the hoof prints in the dirt. He peered up while wiping his hand on his pant leg. “Looks like two horses heading south.”
“Let’s get mounted. They can’t have too much of a head start if they’ve been gone since sunup.” Zach sprinted back toward where the horses waited.
“Wait!” T.J. yelled after him.
Zach skidded to a halt and turned. “What?”
“Let’s fill our canteens before we go and check the house for food. I’m starving.”
“I’ll freshen my canteen, but I’m not taking time to eat. If you wanna fill your belly, go ahead. You can catch up with me. I’ll not rest until I know Odessa is safe and sound.”
T.J. removed his hat and scratched his head. “Blast you, Zach. You’re the most determined man I believe I’ve ever met.” He plopped his hat back on his head and clucked his tongue against his teeth. “I reckon I won’t starve either.”
* * *
Odessa kept her eyes focused ahead and weaved through the cactus and other plants. Perspiration stuck her dress to her like a second skin. Her grumbling stomach protested either lack of food or the horrid pulp she’d used to quench her thirst earlier. She wasn’t sure which.
Her tired eyes strained at what looked like a trail ahead—a welcome break to continued miles of uneven ground and prickly foliage, and hopefully, a frequently traveled route. She breathed a hearty sigh as she stepped onto the worn path, encouraged that Axel hadn’t followed her. Had she really eluded him? If not so tired, she might dance a celebratory jig, but her legs felt like grandma’s elderberry jelly.
The trail unfurled endlessly in both directions. She looked left then right, and blinked back tears, seeing nothing but emptiness that summoned heart-rending despair. Which way should she walk? Where did the trail lead? Confusion overrode her disappointment and crumbled her courage. The wetness she’d kept dammed, released in a flood—quiet tears turned to loud sobs—and she sank to her knees in the dirt.
With all her tears soon spent, she struggled to her feet and looked skyward. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she tried to determine which direction to go. With the fiery orb almost directly overhead, she was at a loss, and figured if she’d been traveling north as she suspected, then turning slightly west would head her toward Phoenix—at least she hoped.
Her stomach cramping, her feet aching, and thirstier than she’d ever been, Odessa resumed walking. She concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other and pictured happier times with her family back in Charleston—before they all went to join Jesus. How she wished Mama and Granny were alive to offer advice on the emotions churning inside. If there was such a thing as the last straw to push a person to their endurance limit, losing Zach was hers.
She’d walked for hours. Where she got the strength to continue, she had no idea. Sheer determination to stay alive, she supposed.
The trail ahead, still vacant, blurred with heat rising in wavy lines from the dirt. The silence grated her nerves, and she found a smile hidden beneath her sadness when she started to hum Camptown Ladies. Over her droning tune, she heard a clamor—hoof beats, perhaps. Her feelings of hope competed with her fear of being discovered by Axel. Her heart thudding, she turned and looked. Relief dragged the breath from her lungs.
A wagon, its white bonnet billowing in the breeze, approached. In the distance the conveyance looked more like a toy. She moved to the road’s edge and waited, clasping and unclasping her hands, beseeching God her rescue was nigh.
Drawn by four black horses, the wagon’s true size became apparent as the Conestoga came closer. A man and woman sat on the seat, her face hidden by her bonnet, and his shaded by the brim of his hat.
Odessa frantically waved her arms. “Hello, can you help me please.” Her mouth was so dry her throat hurt.
“Whoa, there.” The driver reined in his team and peered down at Odessa with wide brown eyes beneath an arched brow. “What’s a young lady like you doin’ out here in the middle of nowhere?” He pushed his hat farther back on his head.
She craned her neck and looked up at him. “I escaped the clutches of a madman. I’ve walked for hours and I’m tired, thirsty, and lost. Can you please give me a ride?”
“Of course.” The woman spoke before her husband had a chance to answer. “You poor thing. You just climb in the back, but mind the baby’s sleeping.”
The tension drained from Odessa’s shoulders. “Oh, God bless you, both.” Happy tears clouded her eyes as she scampered to the rear and climbed over the tailgate. Her dress caught on a piece of splintered wood and ripped, but she freed her skirt and collapsed in a heap on the wagon’s floor. Being off her feet was sweet relief.
“Where you headed?” The man peered over his shoulder and smiled at her. Although bearded, his whiskers were neatly trimmed, as was the hair that barely grazed his collar. Suspenders crisscrossed his back, and something about him reminded her of Pa, earning her immediate trust.
She eyed the infant asleep on a pallet. “I’d like to get to Phoenix,” she whispered, “but I’ll settle for any place you’ll take me.”
The man’s smile broadened. “You’re in luck. We’re headin’ to Phoenix and you’re more than welcome to ride along. You just sit back and rest. There’s a canteen in the corner. Help yourself to some water.”
Odessa grabbed the container and took a generous swig. Before swallowing, she swished the liquid around in her mouth, and then took another drink. Leaning against the wagon bed, she languished in her good fortune.
Her joy was short lived when her thoughts strayed to Zach. She’d sacrificed any chance of reuniting with him, and the reality was like a slap in the face. She had no idea if he was alive or dead. Logic told her she had to think about herself, but that did little to dull the pain in her heart.
“My name’s Nila Rae Freemont, this here’s my husband, Joshua.” The woman’s voice pulled Odessa from the depths of her thoughts. “You can call me Nila. What’s your name?” Her dark eyes sparkled with the same friendliness her husband had disp
layed.
“Odessa Clay, ma’am.” She shifted her gaze to the little one, still slumbering. “Is your baby a boy or girl?”
“Girl. Raejean, named for me and my momma.”
“That’s a lovely choice. She’s so beautiful.”
Nila laughed. “Yes, she is, especially when she’s sleeping.”
“How old is she?”
“Nine months—at that age where she isn’t content being held or staying still.” Nila smiled sweetly. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“No, ma’am. Most of my kin have passed.”
The woman’s mouth curved into a frown. “I’m so sorry.” She tightened the yellow ribbon beneath her chin. “So, why are you heading to Phoenix?”
“I hope to find my Aunt Susan. She lives there or somewhere nearby. I haven’t seen her since I was very young. I doubt she’ll recognize me, especially when I look so… so frazzled.” Odessa smoothed her hair that had long ago slipped free of the ribbon holding it in place.
“You look just fine, dear. Are ya hungry?”
“Starved.”
Nila swiveled around on the seat and slid into the wagon bed holding a basket. She rested on her heels and arranged her yellow floral skirt around her legs. “I packed this to eat along the way.” She parted napkins made of flour sacks and revealed the fare.
Odessa eyed the bread, fried chicken, and apples. Her mouth watered, but she waited for an invitation.
Nila passed a drumstick to her husband, and then gestured toward the food. “Help yourself. We may not have much in the way of belongings, but we do have food enough to keep us from going hungry and water enough to quench our thirst.” She placed a kiss on her sleeping daughter’s cheek and then clambered back up beside her husband. Odessa wondered about the woman’s age, but considered it rude to ask. Nila looked to be in her mid to late twenties, as did her mister.
Arizona Sky Page 18
