by Karen Noland
“Rose Marie Hall, after Mike’s momma,” she said smiling. “Only you won’t think she’s so very perfect in a few more minutes. She’s bound to be wakin’ up hungry any time now.”
Kate laughed as she handed the child to Greta. Would she ever again know the joy of holding her own child, so perfectly formed, known by the Creator even as it grew within her? A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she watched Greta prepare to feed the baby.
“I figgered you’d be staying to dinner, Miz Shaughnessey, and I can fix up a pallet on the floor if you want to take my bed tonight,” Kathy offered shyly.
“Oh, dinner sounds wonderful, but I need to be getting back to Providence tonight. They’ll be worrying about me if I don’t show up soon,” Kate replied.
“Now, Kate, you shouldn’t be out travelin’ after dark like this, it’s just not safe,” Greta protested.
“There’s a full moon tonight to travel by, and Hawk knows the way, I’m sure,” Kate answered. “Besides it’s only a few hours away, and Jo needs me.”
“Well, at least take some food with you. Kathy can make you up some biscuits and ham. You can eat along the way,” Greta said. “Ross, you go saddle Miz Shaughnessey’s horse for her.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ross answered, hurrying out to do his mother’s bidding.
“Thank you, all,” Kate said accepting the parcel of food from Kathy and taking her coat and bag from their resting place near the door. “Annie and the baby will be just fine now, but if you need anything at all, please know that you can send for me.”
“I know that,” Greta smiled. “And I thank you for it.”
The door opened, and a weary boy walked in. “Aaron, you look all done in,” Greta said, concern flooding her face. “Did you find Doc Horn?”
“No, ma’am, he was away, but I left word at Jansen’s store for him.” The exhausted lad sank into a chair at the table, and began shoveling biscuits into his mouth as fast as he could. “I left your gelding in the corral where I found him, Miz Shaughnessey,” he said around the food in his mouth. “My horse was well enough rested, I rode her back here.”
“Thank you, Aaron,” Kate said. “Did you see anyone at my place?”
“No, ma’am, funny thing, I figured they’d be in, it was getting well nigh dark when I dropped by there.”
“Well, you know how harvesting goes, and I sent Jo up to the Insleys’,” Kate said, brushing off any concern she may have felt. “Nana had another attack last night.”
“Oh, dear, is she doing all right?” Great asked.
“She seemed to be resting well when I left her.” Kate said. “I’m worried, though, I don’t know how much more her heart can take.”
“Well, I can understand you wanting to get on home then,” Greta said. “You just get going, hurry, but be careful along the way.” Kissing Kate on the cheek, Greta sent her out the door.
“I will, Greta, you take care of that new family in there,” Kate called, waving as she hurried toward the barn.
Mike was pitching hay into the corrals for the horses and Ross was just making the final adjustments to Hawk’s saddle when she got there.
“Thank you so much, Ross,” Kate said. “She seems to like you, it’s not everyone she stands still for like that.”
“Aw, I just got a way with critters,” he replied, blushing.
“Kate, I need to speak with you for minute,” Mike called as she was mounting.
“Sure, Mike, what is it?” Kate asked, stepping down from the stirrup.
“Ross, you go on up to dinner now,” Mike commanded.
Glancing from his father to Kate and back, he nodded and headed off to the house.
“Mike?” Kate asked, wondering what was on his mind.
“Kate, first I wanted to thank you for being there for Annie. Michael and I had a long talk about it, and, well, this is hard for me to say…”
“I think I know, Mike.”
“The baby isn’t Michael’s.” A look of pain crossed mike’s face as he said those words.
Taking his hand, Kate prayed for wisdom. “I know.”
Mike looked deep into her eyes, searching, Kate felt, for answers, something to help him accept and love his grandchild.
“Mike, I’ll tell you exactly what I told Annie.” Kate paused, gazing at Mike, wanting to give him a peace that he could hold on to, “This child is a gift from God. She deserves the love and respect of her family just as any child would. Michael has chosen to love this baby, regardless of the past. I believe he will be doubly blessed by that choice.
“Only you can decide how you will treat this child and her mother, but think, Mike, think what God would have you do.” Kate paused, watching Mike’s face in the flickering glow of a lantern for any hint of response. Shadows danced over his features, obscuring his emotions within the play of light. After a long moment, he nodded. Kate reached up and hugged him briefly, whispering in his ear, “I know you’re going to just love your granddaughter, she’s beautiful.”
Kate turned to mount the impatient mare who stood pawing the ground and snorting. “Easy, girl, we’ve got a long ride ahead of us,” she said taking up the reins.
Turning to leave, she was stopped once again. “Kate, one more thing,” Mike said.
“What is it?”
“Matt Johnson.”
Kate’s stomach tightened at the mention of the name.
“He came by here a couple of days ago wantin’ to buy me out,” Mike continued. “I ain’t sellin’, but he’s a hard man to convince of that.”
“I know,” Kate replied, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
“Well, just so you know, he’s still tryin’ to buy up just about every scrap of land around these parts, and I don’t like the way he’s going about it.”
“You’re not selling so that should be the end of it, right?” Kate said.
“Yeah, well, Selby’s weren’t selling either, and I heard they lost their barn to fire last week. They can’t make the winter, cause they lost their hay with it,” Mike’s voice was hard. “They’re sellin’ now. I guess Johnson got himself a pretty good deal on that place.”
“I see,” Kate said quietly. “Has anyone contacted the marshal’s office in Guthrie?”
“How’re they gonna prove anything?” Mike asked. “I just wanted you to know so you’ll be careful. We’ll be all right. Got my boys, and we keep a posted eye on this place ‘round the clock. It ain’t easy, but it’s better than losing it.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Kate said. Laying the rein along the mare’s neck she gave a light squeeze and rode into the night.
***
Pale moonlight lay like liquid silver along the ground. Creatures of the night skittered away from the woman and the horse traveling unbidden through their domain. Kate rode with a loose rein, trusting the mare to find her way along the unfamiliar trail. Glad for the woolen jacket she had thought to bring, she snuggled deeper in its warmth, as the night took on a distinct chill. Her body protested at the thought of additional hours in the saddle even as her heart yearned toward home and family.
She wondered what Jo was doing now. Had Luke found her note? Were they worried, or had they gone to the Insleys’ for the evening. Undoubtedly, they assumed she would be spending the night at the Halls’. Wouldn’t they be pleased and surprised when she arrived in just a few short hours? Sighing, Kate urged the mare on.
Emerging from the narrow path, Kate was glad to see the road ahead of them. Turning north into the freshening wind, they continued on under the canopy of stars now fully visible above them. Walking along under the bright moon of a cloudless sky, horse and rider were bathed in the silvery light. Contentment settled over Kate, and the gentle swaying of the horse lulled her into a dreamy repose.
A distant report brought Kate fully to her senses. Her head snapped up, senses crackling as fear filled every pore. Another shot sounded, and Kate felt a sharp blow to her chest. Bringing her hand up instinctively to the
wound, she looked in disbelief at her blood-stained fingers. She began to sway. The mare, smelling the fear and the blood, bolted forward, throwing Kate into the brush beside the road. Still conscious, she listened in desperation to the diminishing sound of hoof beats.
Voices drifted to her ears. Fighting the darkness that threatened to envelope her, Kate dragged herself further into the woods, trying in vain to hide from the would-be assailants.
“She’s got to be around here somewhere.”
“Look!”
“Blood. You must have hit her, boss.”
“The horse took off.”
“Yeah, but look there, I bet she’s dragged herself off into the trees.”
Fighting both fear and pain, Kate closed her eyes, feigning unconsciousness. She could feel the muffled footsteps on the dry ground as the men approached. The voices drew closer. Kate’s heart beat a loud staccato rhythm in her ears.
“There she is.” Came Matt Johnson’s unmistakable drawl.
Pain exploded in her chest as a rough booted foot pushed her over. She rolled with the kick, swallowing the scream that tried to escape.
“Want me to finish her off?” The voice was familiar. Kate concentrated on trying to remember where she had heard it before. The solid click of a hammer being cocked echoed loud within her ears. Dick West. His face rose from the depths of her memory.
“Are you insane? Two shots already. We’re taking enough chance as it is. Someone hears that and they’ll find us for sure.” Matt said. “She’s as good as dead. Look at the blood she’s already lost. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Movement rustled the bushes before a sudden sharp pain flared through Kate’s temple as a booted foot collided with her head and darkness claimed her senses at last.
Chapter Fifteen
Luke rode toward the barn in the gathering dusk. Jake and Jonathan had headed home to check on Nana. Luke sighed, anticipating another long day of harvesting on the morrow. Stopping the young horse near the corrals, he glanced down at the house wondering why Kate hadn’t lit the lamp or started a fire to warm the house against the inevitable evening chill. Perhaps she was with Nana.
Luke dismounted, and set about unsaddling the colt. As he turned the buckskin into the corral, he saw the bay gelding standing with his head low, dried sweat marring the normally gleaming coat. An uneasy feeling settled over Luke. Frowning, he pitched hay into the horses at the corral and went to check those stalled within the barn. Raven whinnied at him, demanding his supper. It wasn’t like Kate to leave the horses untended. He fed Raven and the mares in the pen behind the barn, filled water troughs, then hurried to the house.
Dry laundry fluttered in the evening breeze from every line and rail. Mounting the porch steps in two strides, he yanked the door open. “Kate!” he called into the dim interior. His voice reverberated in the empty rooms. Fighting down the panic that tried to overcome him, he scanned the kitchen for any clue as to her whereabouts. His gaze fell upon a sheet of paper beneath the lamp on the plank table.
Grabbing the note, he strained to read it in the failing light. The words written there eased his mind, and he breathed a deep sigh of relief as he realized that Kate had gone to the Halls’ to help with the birth of Greta’s child. Sinking into a nearby chair, he felt the adrenalin drain from his body, then let his gaze return to the note to read the last line again; “..don’t worry about me, I love you, Kate.”
***
“Humph! Greta Hall ain’t never had no trouble havin’ babies. Don’t see why she needed Kate this time,” Nana complained from her bed.
Jo sat beside her playing with the doll, while the men sat around the Insley’s small table finishing the last of their supper.
“Fine lot we make without a woman to cook for us,” Jake said, tapping a rock hard biscuit on the edge of the table and wrinkling his nose at the burned bacon and cold tinned beans.
“Well, if you’d let me cook, I could have made you a good dinner,” Jo countered from her perch on Nana’s bed.
“You’re too little to reach the stove,” Jonathan observed.
“Ain’t neither, momma lets me stand on a chair.”
“Quit bickering, you two. We’ll just have to make the best of things until Kate gets back,” Jake thundered.
Jo sulked, sticking her tongue out at Jon when Jake’s back was turned.
Luke coughed to hide his laughter at her antics. “Nana, do you need anything else?” he asked trying to change the subject.
“I’m fine as can be expected, considering.” Nana sniffed. “I would take a spot of that tea Kate sent, though.”
“Coming right up.” Luke jumped up and moved the kettle nearer the heat. “Speaking of Kate’s return, when exactly do you think she’ll be back?”
“Well, if she’s not here by now, I expect she’s staying the night there. Can’t imagine she’d risk traveling after dark,” Jake said.
“I suppose you’re right,” Luke sighed. “Where is the Halls’ place anyway?”
“It’s about ten miles south-southwest of here, just a few miles north of the Comanche Reservation.” Jake said, eyeing Luke before he decided to continue. “You take the road south out of here, go about eight miles or more, then you’ll see a great stone cairn they built to mark the path to their place. Turn back to the west at the marker, another couple of miles and you’re there. They’ve got a pretty good quarter section down that way.”
“Humph! Other than being too close to the injuns if ya ask me,” Nana added.
The kettle began to whistle. Luke reached for it without thinking. “Ouch!” he exclaimed, dropping the handle and shaking his hand.
“Here’s some butter,” Jon offered.
Luke shook his head. “It’s not that bad.” Glancing around, he found a rag to use before picking up the kettle once again and pouring the steaming water into Nana’s cup. Carrying the tea to Nana’s bedside table, he asked, “Can Jo stay here tonight?”
“'Course she can,” Nana replied. “She can have Jon’s bed, he’ll make do with a pallet on the floor.”
“Thanks,” said Luke. “I suppose I’ll turn in for the night. Goodnight, Jo, you be good for the Insleys,” he said scooping her up.
“Goodnight, Mr. Josey,” Jo said giving him a hug around the neck.
“Nana needs your help here,” he whispered in her ear, “so you do everything you can for her, okay?”
Jo nodded vigorously, “I will, but I miss my momma.”
“I miss her, too.”
“You do?” she asked, her blue eyes wide.
“I do,” he answered solemnly, setting her down again. “Harvesting again tomorrow, Jake?”
“We’ll be there early.”
“I’ll be ready,” Luke said.
Stepping out into the night air, he was struck by the chill already frosting the grass and trees. Dark clouds scudded across the full moon, beginning to obscure its glittering light. Turning his collar up against the stiffening breeze, he started down the path toward the barn.
Closing the door behind him, Luke fumbled for the lamp and matches, his fingers stiff from the cold. Adjusting the wick, the room was soon bathed in a soft glow. This wasn’t how he had planned on spending the evening. How he had looked forward to seeing Kate, and together telling Jo the news. A disquieting feeling settled over him.
Walking to the window he could feel the chill seeping in around the edges of the pane. A fire would be welcome tonight. Luke wasn’t even sure the ancient iron stove in the corner worked. He opened the grate to a puff of soot. Digging through the remnants of long ago fires, he decided the old thing could probably be coaxed into lighting. Luke remembered an ash bucket just outside. Opening the door invited a blast of arctic air. He grabbed the bucket and slammed the door shut against the chill.
Cleaning the stove took more time than he anticipated, but an hour later the pot bellied furnace was empty, the flue was opened and rammed clean, and Luke’s face was a black mask of grime. Grimac
ing, he wiped his hands and face on an old rag. All he needed now were some logs and kindling. The woodpile was near the kitchen porch. Buttoning his jacket against the night, he picked up the lamp and a canvas tote and stepped out into the dark wind.
The moonlight faded in and out between the blowing clouds. Glancing at the sky, Luke didn’t think rain was likely, just a good blue norther. A sound from behind made him whirl around, senses keen. In the shadows near the front of the barn, Luke could just make out a large shape. Holding the lantern ahead of him, he walked toward the noise. The clouds cleared momentarily allowing the moon to shine against the white coat of a horse. Hawk!
“Kate?” Luke called. “Kate, where are you?”
The mournful whine of blowing wind was his only answer.
Reaching the horse Luke’s fears mounted. The reins were loose, the torn bridle hanging low on her brow. Mud and briers dulled the normally bright coat. Her right front leg was cut and badly swollen. Grabbing a handful of mane Luke led the limping horse into the barn. As he set the lamp on a barrel, he adjusted the wick to cast a brighter light. In one swift movement he removed the badly damaged headstall and bit, noticing as he did the swollen bars of her mouth. Loosening the girth, he saw the blood. Dried brown spots covered the pommel and marred the white mane.
Great waves of fear crashed upon the shores of his mind. Breathing rapidly, Luke tried to calm the angst. Think, he told himself, How am I going to find her? How long has she likely been out there? What do I need? Even as his mind whirled, he automatically put the mare in a stall, checking the hay and water as he did. Grabbing a halter from the hook on the wall, he slipped out to the corral, and haltered the startled buckskin.
In a moment he had the horse saddled and ready to go. Setting his foot in the stirrup, he stopped, returned to his room, and came back with a bedroll that he strapped on behind the cantle. There was a blanket, hardtack and jerky, and some first aid supplies rolled up in the oiled canvas. Pulling his hat low over his brow, he turned out the lamp, mounted the colt and set off down the lane leading to the road south.
Luke fought the bile that rose in his gorge. The fear was a palatable presence, riding beside him. He fought the urge to ride quickly, afraid that he might miss something along the road. The colt snorted and pawed impatiently as Luke scanned every broken branch, scouted every side path. Where was she?
