by Karen Noland
“Jo, honey, you hold on tight. I’m coming to get you,” he called to the frightened girl.
“I’m trying, please hurry.” Jo cried, fear and exhaustion evident in her faint voice.
“Jake, get me that rope from the barn, the long one we were using last week. Jon, get that wagon and team over here. Mike, clear everyone away from this area.” Luke barked the orders and the men jumped to respond.
“Just exactly what do you think you are doing?” Matt asked in a steely voice.
“I’m going to get that little girl down. What do you think you’re doing?” Luke returned evenly. “If you have any ideas, let me hear them. Otherwise, stay out of my way.”
Johnson gazed at him with flinty eyes, pausing for an instant, he turned and strode away to stand near Kate. At the sight of the two of them together, Luke closed his heart and turned to the task at hand.
Jake returned with a long, coiled rope. Gauging the height of the tower with a practiced eye, Luke could see Jo clinging to the structure about fifty feet from the ground. He cut off a length that was just less than twice the distance. One end was tied securely to the wagon, the other end he tucked through his belt. “Mike, you and Jon are going to take the team out till the rope is just about taut, as I climb up, back the wagon with me to feed it. I’m going to take it up there, throw it over the beam, and tie it around her. As we start down, keep backing the team as we go. That way if she should slip, the rope’ll keep her from falling on down.”
“Got it. Jon, you drive, I’ll give you the cues,” Mike said.
“Hold on just a little longer, Jo, I’m coming up.” Luke called as the wagon lurched forward, taking out the slack.
Grabbing the rough timbers, Luke tested the first cross beam with a booted foot. It gave slightly, but held his weight. Taking a deep breath, he began the long climb up, hand over hand, testing each foothold as he went. Keeping his eyes fixed on Jo, he was soon beside her.
“Oh, Mr. Josey, I’m so scared!” She clung tightly to the splintered boards, her eyes shut tightly against the dizzying height. Luke could hear the creak of the blades turning lazily only a few feet above their heads.
“Jo, listen to me. I’m going to put a rope around this beam and tie it under your arms. Hold on just as tight as you can while I do that. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
Tossing the rope lightly over the timber with one hand, he caught it and pulled his weight against the beam, it creaked but held fast. With his right arm hooked over a cross bar, and his legs wrapped securely around one leg of the tower, he passed the end of the rope around Jo’s small chest and knotted it fast beneath her arms.
Finding a footing as close to her as he could, he grasped her firmly about the waist with one arm, “All right Jo, I want you to let go of the tower and put your arms around my neck.”
Her lip trembled, her arms quivered, “I can’t,” she gasped, “I can’t let go.”
“Yes you can, Jo, you’ve got to!” he commanded sternly.
“I can’t, my arms won’t move,” she wailed as tears began to stream freely down her cheeks.
“Jo, listen to me. With this rope on, you can’t fall. C’mon now, let’s get down from here.” Luke watched her fingers intently, finally they twitched, then in one enormous burst she was wrapped around him, clinging with arms and legs, nearly throwing him from his precarious perch.
Regaining his balance, he grabbed the tower again with both hands. Slowly he began the descent, searching blindly for each step below, checking the rope for tautness. He could make out the wagon, moving slowly back with his descent, one agonizing step at a time. Jo clung to his neck, burying her small face in his shirt. He began to pray fervently for their safety. Looking down he realized there was less than twenty feet to the ground. Breathing a sigh of relief, he picked up his speed, longing to feel the earth beneath his feet.
The relentless rays of the of the burning sun sent sweat streaming into his eyes, the salt stung, momentarily blinding him. His hand moved instinctively to wipe away the irritation, giving up the secure hold. Even as his foot found the next rail, the sound of splintering wood filled his ears and he felt himself falling, reaching out in desperation to grab the tower, but finding only air. Jo screamed as he was torn from her tight grasp.
Red pain raced through him as he landed on his back in the dry dust at the base of the tower. Gasping for breath, a moment of panic seized him before the air rushed back into his lungs. Gulping in great drafts of air filled his throat with dust. Coughing it out, he rose to his elbow slowly, the pain retreating as he searched for Jo. She was dangling above the ground slowly descending as the mules backed the wagon a step at a time under Jon’s careful guidance. He tried to rise, but Kate was beside him, her eyes filled with fear.
“I’m all right, get Jo,” He managed to gasp, waving her away. Kate nodded, turning just in time to reach up and ease the girl into her arms.
“Momma, oh Momma,” Jo cried.
“Hush, it’s okay, now, Jo, you’re safe,” Kate crooned to the girl, stroking her hair and rocking her gently.
“Luke’s dead and it’s all my fault,” Jo continued to wail.
“Well, for a dead man, I’d say I was feeling pretty good,” laughed Luke, standing and patting the distraught child on the back. “A little sore, but all in all, not bad for someone who’s dead.”
“Luke! Oh, Luke, you’re not dead. I was sure you were dead. You fell so far. I’m so sorry I did that, I’ll never do it again, never.” Jo, still held firmly in Kate’s grasp, reached over and threw her arms around her hero. Luke returned the embrace, including Kate within the circle of his arms. He could feel the tension leave her body as she rested her head against his shoulder. Glancing over Kate’s head he met the hate filled gaze of Matt Johnson.
***
“Well, what a cozy tableau this is, my fiancé in the arms of another man.”
Kate could feel the rage rising within her at the insinuation in Matt’s words. Handing Jo to Luke, she squared her shoulders and faced him. “Mr. Johnson, I am not now nor have I ever been your fiancé. I’m sorry if you had that mistaken impression.” Kate spoke calmly but clearly. She was keenly aware of the gathered crowd, and thankful for their presence. “I appreciate the kindness you have shown to me and my family in the past, and your concern for my present and future wellbeing, but I cannot marry you,” she continued.
Matt’s countenance grew dark; he took a step forward, “I would urge you to reconsider that position, ma’am,” he said in a low voice.
A murmur rose among the crowd, tension filled the air. She felt Luke’s hand on her arm as he stepped beside her. She glanced at him, her eyes pleading silently with him to allow her to finish this. He nodded. Their friends and neighbors gathered behind them, leaving Matt Johnson alone and unprotected.
“No,” she shook her head firmly. “My home is here, this is my family and my land. The Lord has provided for us, and I have full faith that He will continue.”
“Kate, you don’t know what you’re doing.” Matt’s tone was threatening.
“I believe she does,” spoke the normally taciturn Lars. Kate glanced at him in surprise and flashed him a grateful look. Others voices spoke up in agreement.
“I’m thinkin’ perhaps it would be best if you left about now,” suggested Mike Hall.
Matt glared at Lars and Mike, then turned his venom on Luke, “I’d watch my step if I were you.” With a final dark look at Kate, he strode past them and mounted. Spurring his horse roughly, he disappeared quickly from their view.
“Well, good riddance, is what I say!” Nana pronounced sternly.
Kate sighed as the tension began to melt. Taking Jo’s hand, she turned to Martha, “Let’s feed these hungry people, shall we?”
The table was set and women carried heaping platters from the kitchen and the roasting pit, while the men took turns at the well sloshing water over dust grimed faces. Children scurried about chasing dogs away f
rom the food, and laughing at the antics of their elders that day. Soon all were gathered around the large plank table in the yard, waiting expectantly for Jake to ask the blessing on the meal. The old man walked to the head of the table, hats were removed and hands folded, a hush descended upon the gathering.
“Our Father, we come humbly this day in thanks and praising Your name. We thank You for the bounty You have provided, the friends You have blessed us with, and most especially, Father, for returning Jo to us safely. Bless, now this gathering and this food so lovingly prepared. It is in Jesus’ name I ask this, Amen”
The amen was echoed quietly about the table. Kate looked up in time to see a tear slip silently down Jake’s leathery cheek. Excusing herself from the group of women gathered about her, she hurried to him, slipping her hand into his as she had so many times in the past. Then she was seeking his comfort, now she longed to comfort him. “It’s been a long day, Jake.”
“That it has, that it has,” he sighed.
“Are you hungry?”
“Not really,” he replied shaking his head.
“Then will you sit with me a while in the shade?” she asked.
He nodded, and they wandered over to sit in the shadows of a spreading oak. The grass was cool and thick beneath the boughs thick with leaves that sighed in the gentle breeze. Kate spread her skirt about her as she sank to her knees in the welcome shade.
Jake sat slowly with a grimace. “I guess these old bones are getting a might creaky on me,” he said.
“It wouldn’t hurt you any to slow down a bit, you know,” Kate admonished him gently.
“Ha, slowing down these last few days is what caused these creaky joints! I need to keep working, keep everything tuned up, or this old body’ll just up and quit on me.”
“Oh, Jake, sometimes I wish I could just build you and Nana a big house and give you everything you deserve in life,” Kate sighed. “But you know, I believe you’re right. I don’t think either one of you would last six months if you had to live a life a leisure.” They laughed together with a feeling of camaraderie that Kate realized had been missing these past weeks.
Sitting together in companionable silence, they watched people heaping plates of food and juggling cups filled with water or lemonade as they found seats together in small groups. The drone of conversations punctuated by guffaws of laughter floated lazily on the warm summer air. The scent of smoke from the roasting fire clung to Jake’s clothes. The aroma made Kate’s stomach growl, but glancing at Jake, she decided staying by him was more important than food just now.
“Are you going to marry Luke?” Jake asked presently.
“He hasn’t asked me to.”
“He will.”
“Perhaps,” Kate mused, plucking a fat blade of grass and examining it closely.
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Do you plan on marrying him, or what?” Jake asked in an exasperated tone.
Kate turned to face him squarely. She searched his face for a moment before replying. “Jake, I don’t know. I think I’m falling in love with him - no, I know I’m falling in love with him, but I’m afraid.” She paused, looking for a way to explain the fears that filled her. “I know so little about him, except...”
“Except what?” Jake prodded.
“I think he’s leaving, Jake,” she spoke quietly, her gaze cast down, avoiding Jake’s scrutiny.
“Leaving?”
Kate nodded, “His past is haunting him. If he doesn’t find his peace there...” she lifted her face to him. “Jake, what if he doesn’t come back?”
“Does he love you?”
She nodded, “I think so.”
He studied her face. Reaching out a weathered hand, he smoothed her hair and cupped her chin, “He’ll be back,” he said firmly.
“Who’ll be back?” came Luke’s voice from behind them.
Startled, Kate looked up to see Luke trying to balance three full plates of food, forks sticking out of his vest pocket at odd angles. “Oh, my!” she gasped, jumping up to relieve him of his burden.
“I thought you two might be hungry, sitting over here all by your lonesome.” He handed one of the plates to Jake, “Mind if I join you?”
“Sit down, young man. The more, the merrier, I always say.”
Luke sat, and for a moment no one spoke as the three of them enjoyed the savory roasted beef, fresh bread with butter, applesauce, beans, and fried potatoes.
“Do you really think he’ll be back?” Luke asked between bites.
“Huh, what? Oh, Matt Johnson!” Kate said, even as she felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “I hope not. Surely that last was a show to cover his wounded pride.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure, Kate. He doesn’t strike me as the type to make idle threats,” Luke said. “What do you think, Jake?”
Jake pushed his potatoes around for a moment, lost in thought. “Johnson’s been around these parts a long time. He ran cattle here when it was still Indian Territory. He was one of them that didn’t take too kindly to the government openin’ this area up to settlement, and he’s never been real choosey about which side of the law he was on.
“Course he did help us out in the beginning, him and Will even made a few drives together. I always believed then that he may have had some other reasons for all that, other than just bein’ neighborly.”
Jake paused in his narrative, his eyes fixed on a vision of the past. He shook his head, “I don’t know. I just rightly don’t know. Seems to me like he’s gotten worse in the past months. He’s got a look in his eyes now that gives me shivers when I think of it.”
***
After the midday meal, Kate helped the women clean dishes and pack wagons while they gossiped and chatted and watched the children. The men returned to the branding corrals amid good-natured shouts and laughter.
“Walk with me, Kate?” asked Martha.
“Sure, let’s head up to the corrals. I want to see how it’s going up there.”
The two women set off at a leisurely pace. The freshening breeze that held so much promise earlier had died, and now the warm, moist heat was growing oppressive. Martha carried a damp rag, running it over her flushed face every few minutes. “I swear I don’t know how you do this day after day, Kate,” Martha complained. “I would melt, working out here in this heat. At least I have the cool shade in the store.”
“Oh, I suppose it’s like anything else,” Kate laughed, “you get used to it or die.” Though even she could feel the sweat running in warm rivulets between her shoulder blades, and the once crisp white shirt she wore was beginning to cling to her damp skin.
“Luke is riding Raven!” Martha exclaimed as they approached the nearest branding pen.
Kate smiled as she saw the powerful black horse. Luke handled him skillfully, and she realized they made an efficient and handsome team. Resting her arms atop the wooden fence, she watched them approach the herd quietly, though every muscle was tuned and ready. Luke pointed Raven at a calf, and the horse immediately dropped his head and began the process of cutting the small black bull from the herd. Kate marveled again at the agility and cow sense that the horse exhibited. She could almost believe that Raven enjoyed the work, displaying an air of proud accomplishment when the calf finally turned and ran toward the ropers at the far end of the pen.
“Luke!” Martha called, waving to him.
He rode to the women, smiling warmly into Kate’s eyes. “Hello, Martha,” Luke said, though his eyes stayed on Kate.
“Well, hello to you, too, but I’m over here.” Martha laughed. “Are you men nearly finished up here?”
“Just one more to go after that bull calf there.”
“Luke, tell them not to cut him. That’s the one I wanted to leave a bull, I think he’s going to be a good replacement for Casey.” Kate said.
Luke nodded and urged Raven to the branding fire. After a brief conversation, he returned to the rail where Kate and Martha watched the procee
dings.
“We’re going to mother these up as soon as we get that last calf branded, then push them back out to pasture. Did you want to turn Casey out with the Angus cows first, or the longhorns?” Luke asked as he rode up alongside the fence.
“I want him with the Angus. Mike says he has a new Hereford bull that he’ll loan me to try on the longhorn. I’m curious what kind of cross that will be.” Kate replied. “He said he could drive him over in a couple of weeks. What do you think?”
A slow smile spread across Luke’s sun warmed features as Kate waited for a reply. He sat quietly smiling at her and gazing into her eyes until finally she couldn’t stand it, “What?” she asked, puzzled.
“Do you realize that’s the first time you have ever asked my opinion when it comes to the ranch management?”
“That’s not - well, I mean - I just...” Kate stammered, even as she felt the heat rising within her cheeks.
Martha smiled, thoroughly enjoying her friend’s discomfiture. “Feels good, doesn’t it, Kate, having a man around to ask?”
“You stay out of this, Martha Louise Jansen,” Kate said in frustration, but Martha only continued to smile in a knowing way.
“Actually, I think the Hereford would make an excellent cross on the longhorns, only thing I’d worry about are the heifers. The calves might be a bit big for those first timers,” Luke continued. “We could get around that by cutting the heifers out and keeping them down here with your old longhorn bull for their first calves, and turning Mike’s bull out with the older, bigger cows. I think that might be a workable solution.”
“You’re right. Will you take care of cutting the heifers out and sending the rest back to pasture?”
Luke nodded, and with a brief tip of his hat to Martha, he turned Raven on his haunches and loped back to the working fires.
Martha flashed a smug, knowing grin at Kate.
Kate sighed. “You’re right. It does feel good to have someone I can intelligently discuss the day-to-day management with,” she said earnestly. Then with a wicked gleam in her eyes, she added, “A good ranch foreman comes in handy for that.”
