Music Of Her Heart

by Sophie Dawson

  “You better give up.” It was Newt Riverby yelling from somewhere to the left. “You don’t stand a chance. We’ve stopped the men trying to take the House. You won’t get the women. You won’t get away with any money either.” Hawk must have gotten to the sheriff if he knew they’d taken out the men attacking the House.

  “We’ll take our chances.” That voice Red didn’t recognize. It came from his right. Were they holed up in the café? It was next door to where he and Massot were.

  Several shots came from the hotel. Red didn’t know who was in there. No way could he shoot. It might be part of the posse or those who stayed to guard the town.

  “Come on,” Red said in a hushed voice. He crawled back to the hall before he stood. “Let’s head for the back door of the café. I think some of them might be in there.”

  “Sounded like that man was talking from there,” Massot said.

  Easing open the door, Red looked up and down the alley. It was clear. He waved Massot to follow. They crept to the door into the café, one on each side. He lifted the latch and gave it a gentle push, keeping his body shielded by the wall. It didn’t squeak as it swung open. Both men looked in. They could see through the kitchen and into the dining room under the swinging doors which divided the two rooms.

  Tables were turned on their sides, being used as more shielding than just the front wall gave. Two men crouched behind them. One man was yelling obscenities while the other was reloading his pistol. Red thought to take a moment to reload his gun, but he’d only taken one shot. He had five more. He glanced at Massot who was slipping bullets into their slots. When he finished, he nodded at Red.

  Carefully, so as to not make a sound, Red stepped into the kitchen. He moved to the side so he couldn’t be seen if one of the outlaws glanced back. Massot did the same. They crossed the kitchen. Massot moved to the pass-through window and settled himself, taking aim.

  Red pushed one side of the swinging door open. A squeak had the outlaws spinning around. Four guns fired. Two outlaws dropped. A sting which grew into massive pain entered Red’s left shoulder. He ducked back into the kitchen and leaned against the wall, clutching his wound. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at Massot.

  “I’m fine. We need to check those men.”

  Massot kept his position while Red went into the front room. The place was in shambles. The outlaws had broken just about every chair and table. The large front window was shattered. Glass littered the floor.

  Kicking the dropped guns away, Red checked both men. One was dead, the other probably would be soon from the looks of his gut shot. He was breathing heavily but not moving. The hate in his eyes indicated his lack of remorse for all he’d done.

  “Was it all worth it?” Red asked, standing over the man. There was no reply. Red took the guns from the second holster on each man. Once that was done, Massot joined him in the dining room, keeping aim on the wounded man.

  Red moved to the front wall, keeping from being exposed to the street. “We’ve got these two in the café, Newt,” he yelled. “One’s dead. The other will be shortly.”

  “Who’s we?” Seems Newt wasn’t taking any chances that an outlaw was smart enough to try and trick him.

  “Red and Massot.”

  “Hear that?” Newt yelled. “Your numbers are getting mighty slim. Let’s see, the four trying to take the House, three dead in the street, two in the café. That’s nine. The count of the horses we know you rode in on only leaves two of you. Best give up now.”

  “Not gonna happen, Sher…” The word was cut off.

  “Only one varnmint left now, Newt.” It was Nugget Nate who called out.

  “I give up. I give up.” That voice sounded young. “Stop.” The last word was fairly screamed.

  “I’s got me this’un, too.” Again Nate called out. “But afore I’s a comin’ out inta the street, I be a thinkin’ ya needs ta check all them bodies. Ain’t of a mind ta get me shot up cause o’ a miscountin’.”

  Red exchanged a grin with Massot. Nate might not have a decent command of grammar, but he didn’t lack anything when it came to tactics.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Red straightened from leaning against the wall. Seems it was over now. He needed to see Gema. Needed to know she was all right. “I need to get to the House and find Gema.”

  “You better get that tended to first,” Massot said. “You don’t want her fainting on you.”

  Red looked down. His shirt and vest were covered in blood. He thought the bleeding may have stopped but wasn’t positive. “You’re probably right. Besides we need to talk with Newt.”

  “Yeah.”

  They checked on the wounded outlaw whose life was draining away into a bloody puddle on the floor. Massot picked up the guns, stuffing them into his belt. “Let’s go. He’s not going to be going anywhere soon. Well, except to his Maker.”

  They left the café, cautiously heading into the street. Like Nate, they weren’t going to be taking any chances. Other men were coming out of various locations.

  Red saw Doc Eli checking over those men lying on the ground. A couple sat up holding some part of their body. He was glad to see the cowboy from Hawk’s Wing was one of them. He was injured, but it didn’t look life-threatening.

  “Come on ya rascal,” Nugget Nate was hauling a skinny youth up the middle of the street. “Here be the one I done found back there. Deputy Dak’s with the one I knocked calliwampus. He ain’t on his feet jest yet.”

  The men gathered in the middle of the street. Red was gratified that all the members of the posse were there. All were standing at least. Ben had a bullet hole in the crown of his hat. Jeb looked like he’d taken a glancing shot on the side of his leg.

  Newt began asking questions, getting the stories from each of the men. Red, who was standing behind Massot, stepped out when the sheriff asked him a direct question. Newt’s eyes got big. “Eli,” he called. “We need you here. Red took a bullet.”

  All the men focused on Red. “It’s fine. I think it went all the way through. It was pretty close range.”

  By now, Eli was at his side. “Well, you’re a mess but going to be all right. Here’s the exit hole. How about we go to my office and get that cleaned up? Yours seems to be the worst of the injuries I haven’t treated yet. God favored us, that’s for sure.”

  “Yeah, a bunch of dead outlaws and only some minor injuries for our side,” Newt said. He began instructing the men to gather the bodies.

  Massot tapped Red on his uninjured shoulder. “I’ll go to Ben’s store and get you a new shirt. Don’t think Gema will want to see you in this one.”

  A commotion near the bank had everyone turning, hands poised to pull firearms from holsters. Dak was dragging a struggling man up the street. This outlaw was older than most of the men lying dead around town.

  Noah Preston broke away from the group crowded around Newt. As always, he was dressed in black. His black duster hooked behind the holsters tied down on his legs. Tall and lean, he looked more like a gunslinger than a preacher.

  With long strides, he closed the distance between himself and the outlaw. All three men stopped. Noah looked long at the man. Then, the preacher raised a fist and slammed it into his face, knocking the man to the ground, blood spurting out from his nose.

  “That’s for Chloe and all the other women and children you’ve abused throughout the years.” Noah turned on his heel and walked back to the group. The steel grim expression on his face revealed he’d taken no pleasure in the action.

  Silence reigned for a lengthy moment.

  “As a pastor, are you supposed to do that?” Red couldn’t keep himself from asking.

  Noah shot him a cool glance. “I’ll ask forgiveness later.”

  ~~~~~

  The silence was deafening once the shooting stopped. Gema, Laura, and the boys were still under the bed. Hank had stuck his head in the room shortly after the shooting began, yelling for them to stay hidden. Gema had grasped Laura’s shoulder
when she began squirming to scoot out.

  “No, stay. No distract Hank. He want you safe.”

  Laura stilled and began reciting the Lord’s prayer. They alternated between that and the twenty-third Psalm, her boys, cradled between Gema and Laura, joining in with the parts they knew. The women held tightly to each other’s hand.

  It seemed an eternity before the shots coming at the house, and the return fire died away. The gunfire coming from Main Street lasted longer.

  “Can we get out, Mama?” Eddie asked.

  “We’ll wait on Hank.”

  Gema prayed he would come. That he was able to come. That the outlaws hadn’t taken over the House. They didn’t know who’d won the battle.

  Bootsteps sounded, running in the hall. Laura tightened her grip on Gema’s hand. Someone entered the room. The dimness left as the bedspread was lifted. All four hiding there gasped in a terrified breath.

  “Come on out. We’ve won,” Hank said, squatting down to peer under. Laura rolled over, releasing her son. Hank pulled her out as she burst into tears. He held her close for a moment before releasing her to help the others from the hiding place. Each one received a comforting hug.

  “Red?” Gema asked, the name barely escaped her tight throat.

  “I don’t know anything about anyone. I know Hawk was okay when he signaled the outlaws attacking the House were all taken care of.” When Gema started to run out, he grabbed her arm. “No, you stay here until someone comes to let us know it’s truly all over. I’m not letting any of you off these floors until we get word from Newt.”

  Gema paced the hallway. She had to dodge as several of the other Ladies were doing the same thing; Myra, Newt’s wife; Chloe, McIlroy’s wife, and Cora, who was Dak’s. Libby and Ruth were trying to quiet the eighteen-month-old twins. Boone and Mae sat in the corner holding each other. Their eyes were wide and filled with fear. Sally sat on a bed in the large bedroom several of the boys slept in. She had Nina on her lap and stared at nothing. Flora, holding Tadpole, sat on another with Ada leaning against her. The other children were sitting or standing out of the way of the pacing women.

  Four went downstairs with Blanche who wanted to heat the stove so the food could be baked.

  Hank set Duncan Ashburn, Chloe’s son, to watch the alley. Dunc had wanted to be part of the men defending the house but, at only fourteen, Hank hadn’t allowed it. Being assigned the task now that the shooting seemed to be over mollified the boy’s wounded pride.

  “Yo, the House.”

  Everyone stilled. Hank eased the revolver from his holster and entered a bedroom on the front side of the building.

  “Who calls?” he yelled.

  “It be McIlroy. Sheriff sent me. It’s safe. The gang’s either dead or in custody.”

  Chloe, carrying Lil-Pen, was running down the stairs. Dunc abandoned his position and followed on her heels. Myra and Cora crowded in next to Hank to look out the window.

  “Newt and Dak are fine,” McIlroy called.

  Gema waited for him to say Red was, too. He didn’t. Maybe she should go ask. She couldn’t make her feet move. Fear that he was dead had blood pounding in her ears.

  Women and children streamed passed her, heading downstairs. Still, Gema couldn’t make her feet take any steps. Myra grabbed her hand as she headed to the stairs.

  “Come on. Ya won’t learn anything standin’ here.” She pulled Gema along behind her.

  Hawk was talking to Blanche as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He came to Gema and grabbed her shoulders. She nearly collapsed.

  “He’s going to be fine. He took a shot in the shoulder. Doc Eli’s tending to him now.”

  Gema jerked away and burst out the door. Picking up her skirts, she jumped off the end of the porch, ran up the street and across to the medical office. Jeb was sitting in a chair in the waiting room, a bandana tied around his thigh.

  “Red?” she asked.

  “First room.” Jeb pointed.

  “You well?”

  “Right as rain.”

  Gema didn’t bother to knock. She just opened the door and rushed in. Doc Eli and Red looked at her as she stilled in the doorway. Eli was wrapping a bandage around the injured shoulder while Red sat on the table.

  “Let me tie this off, and he’s all yours, Gema.”

  She barely heard him. Her eyes darted from Red’s shoulder to his face and back.

  “There.” Eli pulled the knot tight. “I’ll tend Jeb in the other room. You take all the time you need.” Eli gave Gema a quick hug as he left the room, shutting the door as he went.

  Red gave her a sheepish grin and held out his uninjured arm. She flew to him and began sobbing. “It’s all right, honey. I’ll be good as new in a few days.”

  Gema just kept crying. She wrapped her arms around him and held on with fierce determination, burying her face against his neck.

  “Honey, I need to breathe,” Red whispered in her ear.

  She loosened her hold but didn’t release him. She couldn’t. All she could think of was that Red had been shot. He could have been killed, and he’d never know how much she loved him.

  ~~~~~

  Gema pulled back and studied Red’s face again. “You okay. Real okay?”

  “Yes, honey. I’m fine. You?”

  “I well. Much scared. Laura, boys, me. We hide under bed. Prayer much.” She knew her English wasn’t good at the moment. She could only make simple sentences. All she wanted to tell him flowed through her head in Russian. The words he could understand stuck in her throat.

  Taking his face between her hands, she kissed him. Long and hard. Then, she looked at him and kissed him again. And again.

  When her fear and worry subsided, Gema leaned against his intact shoulder and tucked her head against his neck. “I love you. So scared you die in gunfight. Never have chance to say words.”

  Red’s hand, which had been stroking her hair, stilled. He pulled back and tipped her head up with his fingers. His steel gray eyes searched her face. “Oh, honey. I love you, too. I was afraid of the same thing. That I’d be killed in the battle and never be able to tell you how much I love you.”

  Red kept his fingers under her chin and lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was soft and long.

  Neither heard the door open. A throat cleared, causing them to break apart.

  “Sorry,” a red-faced Massot said. “Um, I brought you a new shirt.” He leaned over and set the parcel on a chair. Backing out, he shut the door, leaving Gema and Red alone again.

  Red took advantage of the moment and lowered his head again.

  ~~~~~

  The after-effects of the shootout left all those involved exhausted. It was late in the day, so Hawk announced to his men that they could stay in town that night. He’d pay for hotel rooms. Sure they’d have to share, and a couple of the rooms had shot out windows, but the treat of a night in a real hotel wasn’t something to be refused.

  With the café shot up, the meal the Ladies had fixed was eaten in the dining room at the house. The men who had never stepped foot in the place looked around the room with interest. Nate offered to bring a couple of jugs of his squeezin’s, but the offer had been politely declined by Blanche.

  Gema fluttered around Red, making sure he was comfortable and doing the opposite. Finally, he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arm around her. “I’m fine, honey. You’re making me nervous with all your flitting. You just sit right here and let the Ladies serve the meal.”

  “But I should help.”

  “Well,” he laughed. “You weren’t helping, with your attention focused on me, so just stay here.” He hugged her close and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

  While everyone enjoyed dessert, Nate stood up. “Pastor Noah done thanked the Lord fer the endin’ of the King Gang. He done it in a right ’n proper way, too. This here Saturday night, I’m a gonna host a shindig ta thank all them what helped in bringin’ the varnmints evil ways ta a close. The whole town an’ all the
ranches an’ such around ‘ll be invited. My Penny’ll play some on her fiddle.” A glance at Penny’s face had him changing the last sentence. “‘Scue me, on her violin. Then, the hoedown’ll commence. Seems we be a needin’ some culturation.”

  While Nate went on talking, Gema clutched Penny’s arm. They were seated next to each other.

  “You have violin? You have music?”

  “Yes,” Penny said. “Do you play?”

  “I no have violin anymore. Papa sold, but have some music papers.” Gema could hardly contain her excitement. “If I get paper, I copy music? Would like to have more. Jeb let me play his violin.”

  “Of course, my dear. Actually, I’ll give you whatever I have duplicates of. I’ll sort them tomorrow, and when you come to town on Saturday, I’ll give them to you.”

  Red, sitting beside Gema, leaned toward them. “If you ladies would excuse me for a moment. I want to go check on Ralph and Blackie. Gema, please stay here until I come get you. I don’t want you walking to the hotel by yourself. I won’t be long.”

  “Don’t worry, Mr. Dickerson. Your wife and I have a lot to talk about now that we know we have something in common.” Penny smiled at Red and Gema.

  Red touched Gema’s cheek and left, Jeb went with him.

  ~~~~~

  Red left Jeb at the hotel. He’d stopped by there after they checked on the horses at the livery and made one other stop. Jeb’s grin and slap to Red’s back was a mixed blessing since he’d smacked the wounded shoulder.

  “You done a good thing there, Red. Gema’s going to be loving on you for a long time.”

  Red didn’t comment. That wasn’t why he’d done it, but he’d certainly take any loving she wanted to give him. Maybe not tonight since his shoulder was throbbing badly. That didn’t dim his smile as he went to the House to pick up his wife.

  He still couldn’t believe she loved him. She was such a beautiful young woman. He’d felt so guilty that they’d had to marry. She could have had the pick of any of the younger men of the area. He’d tried so hard to show her that he valued and honored her as his wife.