CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Hawk Connor, new owner of the large spread known as Hawk’s Wing Ranch, rode along the fence line separating his place from the Tanner homestead. He’d met the man once. Silas was a sod buster, farming along the creek that gave the nearby town its name.
He looked over the landscape. Something wasn’t right. He felt it in his bones. He didn’t have Callings like his mentor Nugget Nate had, but he’d learned from the mountain man turned wealthy philanthropist not to ignore the feelings.
There. Smoke was rising just where the homestead was. That’s what wasn’t right. There was too much smoke. Sure, Silas could be burning a pile of trash, but Hawk was going to investigate anyway.
Locating a gate in the fence, he went through and galloped toward the smoke. When the homestead came into view, Hawk knew his instincts had been right. Something was very wrong here. Both the house and barn were on fire. A couple of cows were standing a ways off, looking at their former shelter.
When he arrived in the yard, Hawk yelled for Silas. Only the wind answered. The smell of burning wood assailed his nose. Coming from a campfire the aroma would be pleasant, familiar. This just had the smell of destruction.
Hawk dismounted, wrapping the reins around a post. The small cabin was less than a shell now. The barn still blazed some, but it wasn’t threatening to spread. He looked at the trampled ground. Brown grass was trampled by a lot of hoof prints. A couple of pigs had been slaughtered and left where they fell. Chickens were scattered and clucking. A rooster stood on a post, crowing his displeasure.
Someone wanted this to look like Indians had attacked. The outlaws were a little light in the upper story. The hoof prints had shoes. Indians wouldn’t waste food animals. If they killed, they took it with them. They’d have taken the chickens too.
Hawk figured it was the King gang, or whatever they were calling themselves now. They’d been setting upon farms and herds and towns since they’d arrived in the area last year. The leader, Buster King, and one other man had been captured in Stone’s Creek in the fall.
A thirteen-year-old had held them at bay in the Creek Café after sending his five-year-old sister out the back door to get help. The men had been after their mother who was a partner in the café-bakery business. The King gang was known to kidnap women and use them in nefarious ways. Hawk wouldn’t mind coming upon them and having them put up a fight. He wouldn’t mind plugging them with a bit of lead.
There’d been a wife and a couple of babies when he’d visited before. She’d been a bit scared of him. His Indian heritage showing through. Hawk was only a quarter Hopi, but it showed in his swarthy complexion, black hair, and cognac colored eyes.
His grandfather, a French trapper, had lived with the tribe for a while in Arizona, marrying his grandmother and moving on to California long before gold was discovered. Their daughter had married his English-speaking father. Hawk was the only one of their children to live to adulthood. Growing up in the territory was difficult. Hawk had left home at sixteen thinking there was nothing for him there.
He’d traveled east, getting into fights and punching cows, until he met up with Nugget Nate Ryder. Nate had taken the angry young man under his wing, giving him a job and a chance to dig silver out of the mine that had made Nate a wealthy man. Nate let him keep what he dug. Between that and his wages as a US Marshal, Hawk had been able to purchase the ranch when he quit his work as a lawman.
Now, he was back doing a bit of that anyway. The US Marshal in the area had contacted him about keeping a lookout for the King gang and authorized him to use whatever force was necessary to bring them to justice. As he surveyed the destruction they’d left in their wake, he renewed his vow to do just that.
Hawk walked around to the back of the ruined cabin. He swore. There lay Silas Tanner, face down. They’d shot him in the back, the cowards. What had happened to his wife and children?
A sound brought Hawk’s head up. That sounded like a crying child. Then a hush. He looked around. No, it was coming from beneath Silas.
The man lay sprawled near the corner of the cabin. Hawk strode up and turned the man over. A trap door had been hidden by the body. Blood covered it, but Hawk grabbed the ring handle anyway and pulled. Staring up at him from the hole in the ground was Silas’ wife and two toddlers. She screamed, causing the little ones to cry.
“Ma’am, it’s okay. I’m here. They’re gone. Let me get you out of there.” Hawk kept his tone calm. He held out his hand, after taking the bloody glove off and stuffing it in his back pocket. He waited, not wanting to scare her more than she already was.
“Mr. Connor?”
“Yes, Mrs. Tanner. It’s Hawk Connor. Hand me one of the babes. I’ll take you to Stones Creek. We’ll find you a spot there. You can’t stay here.”
She took two steps up. “Here, take Arleta.”
Hawk accepted the crying little girl and cuddled her against his chest. “Hush, little one. It’ll be okay,” he said in Spanish. The unfamiliar words caught Arleta’s attention, and she quieted.
Mrs. Tanner climbed several more steps and Hawk held out his free hand to aid her out of the root cellar. He kept his body between her and her dead husband. He was glad to see they were all bundled against the cold. He wouldn’t have had enough blankets to keep them warm. Fortunately, the day was mild for mid-February.
She stopped and looked around holding the back of her son’s head against her shoulder. Then, she looked at Hawk. “He’s dead, isn’t he? Silas.”
“Yes, ma’am, he is. You don’t need to see. It’s not pretty. Let’s just head around to my horse. We don’t need to stay. There’s nothing here for you anymore.”
She turned around, taking in what used to be her home and farmstead. “No, I suppose not.”
As they headed to his horse, a whinny made Hawk turn, his hand ready to draw his gun if necessary. A saddled brown stock horse trotted across the lot to him.
“That’s Pecos, Silas’ horse. He smacked him on the rump when he saw the outlaws coming. He made me and the twins hide in the root cellar. I heard him telling them we’d gone to town and that he was alone on the farm. Then, I heard the shot and knew.” She stopped talking and looked back at the burned shell of her home.
Hawk set Arleta down and took the boy from Mrs. Tanner, setting him next to the girl. “You two stay still. I’m going to get your ma on the horse first and then get you up there. Then, we’ll go to town.” Two very similar faces looked up at him. They were tear-streaked and dirty, but they obeyed.
Hawk lifted their mother onto Pecos. He picked up the boy, handing him to her. “You can ride, can’t you? Or do you want me to lead him?”
Lifting a very shaky hand, she said, “I think you better lead him. I’m not sure I’d be able to control him very well.”
“Okay. Hold this while I mount.” Hawk handed her the reins, picked up Arleta, mounted, and took the reins back. He kicked the sides of his horse with his spurs and began the trek to town.
~~~~~
After tying up the horses, Hawk helped Mrs. Tanner dismount and picked up both of the twins. “Let’s head into the café. I’m sure the children need to eat and so do you.”
“I don’t think I could eat.”
“You will.” Hawk knew his voice was stern, but she needed to eat to stay strong for her children. When she glanced up at him with a startled expression, he regretted his tone. “You need to keep up your strength. The days ahead are gonna be tough. Your young ‘uns need you.”
She nodded.
They went into the café, and he settled her at a table, placing each child on chairs pulled close beside her. Then, he went through the swinging doors into the kitchen.
“Excuse me. I need to talk with one of you ladies from Sanctuary House.”
Two heads turned to him. One was tall, thin, and had black hair. She lifted her left hand to her face, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. Her finger had a gold band on it. The other woman was more average in height
. She had brown hair streaked with blonde. It was her eyes that arrested his intended words. They were large and green with depths like the bay of San Francisco. Hawk cleared his throat.
The green eyed woman spoke. Her voice was low and made something happen in the depths of his soul.
“What can I help you with?” She walked over to him, wiping her hands on a towel. “We normally come and wait on the tables.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m Hawk Connor, owner of Hawk’s Wing Ranch. I’m needing to get some other kind of help too. I’ve got a woman and two young ‘uns out there. The King gang just burned out their homestead and killed her mister. They’ve got nothing and nowheres to go. I was wondering if you’d take ‘em in at Sanctuary House. I’m gonna be paying for their meal while I go and speak with the sheriff. I’d be pleased if I could tell him they’ve got a place to stay for a mite.”
The women exchanged glances. “Of course, we can accommodate them for as long as they need. Let’s go out and introduce ourselves, Chloe.”
The dark haired one called Chloe was already moving to come into the dining room. Hawk stepped back, allowing both ladies to pass. He watched the sway of the hips of the shorter one.
She’s not for the likes of you, Hawk, he thought, and went to introduce them. Or would have if he’d known their names and gotten there quickly enough.
“Hello, I’m Blanche Basking, and this is Chloe McIlroy. We are so very sorry for your loss.”
Mrs. Tanner looked at Hawk then back at Blanche. “I’m Lucy Tanner. I…” She stopped speaking.
“Don’t you worry none. Mr. Connor explained what happened. We’ve come over to invite you and your little ones to stay at Sanctuary House for as long as you need. First, though, we need to get you all some food. We’ve got chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and dried apple pie. How does that sound?”
Lucy just nodded.
Hawk knew she was in shock, but there was nothing else he could do for her. Blanche headed back to the kitchen. Hawk watched her go. He followed while Chloe McIlroy spoke softly to Lucy.
“Ma’am,” he said over the swinging doors. “You keep a tally of what it costs to keep them. I’ll pay what needs to be paid.”
“No need, Mr. Connor.”
Hawk interrupted. “Hawk, call me Hawk.”
“All right, Mr. Hawk. There’s no need. We’ll make sure she and the children are taken care of. If there’s anything we can’t handle, we’ll contact Nugget Nate Ryder. He’ll be sure they can stay as long as they need.”
“Right. I’d forgotten Nate sponsored this house like he does Sanctuary Place.”
“You know Nate?” Blanche was dishing up one large plate and two bowls with mashed potatoes topped with creamy chicken and noodles.
“Yes, ma’am. Worked for him down New Mexico way. He got me out of a few scrapes.”
“He does that for a lot of people.” Blanche set the plate and bowls on a tray and picked it up.
“I’ll be heading over to the jail now to talk with Sheriff Riverby. I thank y’ for taking Mrs. Tanner and the little ones on.”
“Not a problem, Mr. Hawk. We’re pleased to be able to do so,” she said as she passed by him.
~~~~~
Newt had just come back from having lunch with his wife, Myra and their son Troy. He was so glad he’d married her. She was a spitfire and flew off the handle a bit, generally punching or poking him in her ire, but he loved her. He’d heard back recently from the lawyer he’d contacted in Denver about adopting five-year-old Troy.
Newt had known Forsyth Franklin Fredrick Farnsworth the Fourth during the war. Everyone simply called him Four. He’d been the only man in his unit to survive the Second Battle of Manassas. He’d felt guilty for doing so, even though he was greatly wounded, losing a leg in the process.
Sitting down at the desk, Newt pulled out the letter he’d just picked up at the post office in Cutler’s General Store. He was slitting it open when the door opened, and Hawk Connor came in.
“Hey, Hawk. Didn’t expect to see you in town today,” Newt said, laying his letter aside.
“Didn’t expect to be coming. There was a problem out on the Tanner place. He’s dead, the house and barn burned. I found the wife and young ‘uns in the root cellar. Brought them into town. They’re at the café. I’m buying them a meal. The House ladies are taking them in.”
Newt swore. “We’ve got to catch these outlaws, Hawk. They’re terrorizing the entire area. Wes found the remains of a steer they slaughtered. They took the best parts and left the rest to rot. Did the same on the Pactel place. Robbed a store in Deer Trail. I can go on. Not to mention attempting to kidnap Chloe McIlroy last fall before she married McIlroy. We captured the leader and another man in that. Thought maybe they’d disband or leave these parts.”
“Well, they didn’t. I’ll keep looking. If I find their hideout, I’ll hightail it to town, and we’ll get up a posse and smoke ‘em out.”
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll head out to the Tanner place with Dak, and we’ll bring the body back for burial. Then I’ll go to the House and talk with the missus. Let her get herself, and the children settled a bit first. Poor mites, no pa now.”
Hawk nodded. There wasn’t anything more to say.
~~~~~
Blanche walked with Lucy over to the House, each carrying one of the twins. She’d learned they were Arleta and Jack, fourteen months. Both were just on the verge of walking. Their pa would never get to see those first steps. Blanche nearly began crying at the thought.
“Let’s find Ruth, and I think Gema might still be here. She works as a maid at the hotel. Ruth watches the children as their mothers work and helps Laura with her laundry business as well as cleaning a few places in town.” Blanche knew she was chattering, but if she didn’t, there would be silence as Lucy wasn’t very responsive. “We’ll get you settled in a room. There’s a large one on the third floor across from mine. You’ll be able to have the twins in there with you. It will fit your bed and two cribs.”
They entered the back room with its dry sink and wash tubs. There were hooks low on the wall. A scarf hung on one, and a stray mitten lay on the floor. A few had coats and hats. These were the children’s who were too young to go to school and who Ruth watched while their mothers worked. Blanche’s son, John, was one. Chloe brought her daughter Lil’Pen when she came to work in the morning. Myra brought Troy on the days she worked at the dress shop.
They took off their coats and headed through the kitchen into the dining room. They found Ruth and the children there.
“Who have we here?” Ruth asked smiling.
“This is Lucy Tanner and her twins, Jack and Arleta. They’ll be staying with us for a spell.” Blanche looked pointedly at Ruth. She didn’t want to explain the situation in front of Lucy. She was upset enough without having to hear it again.
Ruth gave a slight nod. “Welcome to Sanctuary House. How about we find you a room? These little ones look tired. I was just about to put these three down for a rest. Come along, now,” Ruth turned her attention to her charges.
While Ruth settled Lil’Pen in her mother’s old room, and John and Troy on Blanche’s bed with the strict admonition to be quiet and rest, Blanche led Lucy into the largest room on the third floor. At the moment, sheets covered the bed, nightstand, and dresser.
“I’ll go get a crib, and we can get them down for a nap. Oh, I’ll get clean diapers first. We don’t have any other babies at the moment, so they are put away. I’ll be right back.” She set Jack on his feet and quickly went to do her errand.
By the time she came back with diapering supplies, Ruth was there, taking the sheets off the furniture. Lucy stood where she’d been left.
“Here, dear,” Blanche said. “You change Arleta, and I’ll do Jack. We can change them on the bed since we’ll put fresh sheets on anyway.”
Lucy did as told, and soon the twins were clean and dry. Lucy sat on the bed staring off into space, a
toddler on each knee.
“Ruth, come help me bring a crib.” Blanche waved a hand indicating she should accompany her. As they went to the store room, Blanche outlined what had brought Lucy and the twins to the House.
“Oh, my word. How horrible. Mr. Conner was right to bring them to you. Let’s get this crib moved. I think there’s another on the second floor. We need to change the sheets for Lucy. She needs to rest as much as the twins do. Do you have a night gown she can use or shall I get one of mine?”
“Mine’s closer. I’ll get it while you make up the bed as soon as we get the cribs set up.”
Working as fast as they could, Blanche and Ruth soon had two cribs in the room with a sleeping child in each one. Ruth changed the sheets on the bed, and Blanche helped Lucy into the borrowed nightgown.
They tucked the new widow into bed, telling her she wasn’t alone and that she needn’t worry about anything at the moment. Just rest. Obediently, Lucy closed her eyes.
Blanche and Ruth stood side by side near the door and watched as tears slipped silently down Lucy’s temples and into her hair.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The ladies of Sanctuary House, both single and married, rallied around Lucy and the twins. They gave or purchased clothing for all three. They held Lucy as she cried and comforted Arleta and Jack when they wanted their papa. Often, the lady involved cried with them. Each woman had known loss and tragedy in their own way.
A telegram was sent to Sanctuary Place telling of the addition. It also went to New Mexico where Nugget Nate would get the word. Letters giving more detail followed. A telegram was received back from their benefactor saying he’d wire funds to support Lucy until she was ready to get along with her life.
“I’m worried about Lucy,” Blanche told Laura while they were doing dishes. “It’s been almost two weeks, and she’s still so docile. I had hoped the funeral would be a turning point, but she just moves through her day with no emotion. Not even the twins seem to make any connection with her.”
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