A Temporary Family

by Sherri Shackelford

  “Perhaps Eleanor is jealous of you.”

  “I sincerely doubt that,” she scoffed. “Eleanor takes every opportunity to remind me of my faults.”

  Elizabeth managed two jumps before the rope caught on her ankles. With a merry laugh, she skipped out of the jump rope.

  Caroline sang, “‘As I went down to my grandfather’s farm, a billy goat chased me around the barn. It chased me up a sycamore tree, and this is what it said to me—I like coffee, I like tea, I like Aunt Tilly to jump with me!’”

  Laughing, Tilly stood and doffed her bonnet. “Go slowly, I haven’t done this in years.”

  After a few rounds of watching the circling rope, she gathered her skirts to one side and hopped inside the swinging rope.

  Victoria danced on the balls of her feet without losing her time. “My turn to sing a song. ‘Benjamin Franklin went to France, to teach the ladies how to dance. First the heel, and then the toe, spin around and there you go.’”

  With one hand raised for balance, and the other holding her skirts aside, Tilly hopped to the rhythm of the song before jumping out once more.

  “Your turn, Caroline,” she said.

  For the next twenty minutes, the three of them took turns jumping in and out of the game, exchanging places. Overhead, the sky darkened. Lightning flashed, illuminating the clouds. Nolan kept one eye on the sky. There was a good chance the storm would drift north. If not, their plan was in jeopardy. Crossing the river in good weather was dangerous. Navigating the rapids in a thunderstorm was suicide.

  Tilly laughed and stumbled toward the blanket. “I’m exhausted. I can’t go on anymore.”

  “Ah, c’mon,” Caroline chided. “We’ve hardly even begun.”

  “Yeah, Aunt Tilly,” Victoria said. “We once played for three whole hours without stopping.”

  Tilly held up her hands. “I’m not a little girl anymore, I don’t have your stamina.”

  “What does that mean?” Victoria asked.

  “It means I have to rest.” Tilly collapsed back on her elbows. “I forfeit my turns.”

  Nolan glanced at Tilly’s profile. She watched the girls at their game, and indulgent smile stretching across her face. She appeared relaxed and at ease, hopeful for the rescue ahead, and he couldn’t bring himself to point out the weather. There was no point in ruining her afternoon with pointless worry.

  She hadn’t bothered to replace her bonnet, and sunlight glinted off her chestnut strands. Though fashion favored a pale complexion, he much preferred the way the sunlight bronzed her cheeks and freckled her nose. Her chest rose and fell from her exertions, and his gaze skittered away from the sight.

  Nolan plucked a slender blade of prairie grass near the edge of the blanket. “I don’t ever remember having that much energy.”

  “They’re quite resilient, aren’t they?” She lowered her voice. “What do you suppose will happen tonight?”

  “The outlaws don’t see us as much of threat, and we’ll use that to our advantage. The lieutenant will ensure the relay station is protected. I’ll join the men while you and the girls stay inside and take cover. That way, if anything goes wrong, you’re well away from the danger.”

  She collapsed onto her back and crossed her arms over her chest. “I cannot wait for this to be over.”

  He glanced at his watch and realized he’d forgotten his afternoon chores. Not once in the past year had he strayed from his rigid schedule. Though a part of him wanted to leap up and complete the tasks, he fought the urge. While the weather might prevent an ambush this evening, there’d be ample opportunity for Captain Ronald and his men to launch a rescue tomorrow.

  He’d be back to his old, familiar routine in no time. The same chores, the same counts, the same checks of the locks. A sudden sense of melancholy filled him.

  Tilly caught his gaze. “Something has been bothering me. When we were searching for Caroline, and I plunged through the floorboards, you said I was a genius. What did you mean?”

  “You mentioned a boat. Dakota Red knows we can’t escape on foot, but we can escape by boat down the river.”

  “Except we don’t have a boat.”

  “That’s not precisely true. We have a boat, but it’s not seaworthy. I was planning on doing the repairs before Lieutenant Perry arrived. Now that he’s coming back with a rescue party, we won’t have to take such drastic measures.”

  “I’d rather not risk a trip on a rickety boat with the girls.”

  “We won’t have to. The cavalry will come for us. You’ll be home soon.”

  She threaded her fingers behind her head. “I’m sure you’re anxious to have your home back.”

  “It’ll be quiet, that’s for certain.”

  He couldn’t lie. He didn’t want them to leave. His time as Tilly’s make-believe husband was coming to an end. She’d been cool to him since he’d mentioned the lieutenant’s suitability. He should be grateful. She’d gotten the hint. He didn’t have to worry about ruining her life the way his own had been. Their presence had shined a light on all the reasons he’d chosen to live in solitude.

  Everything that had happened over the past few days had supported that decision. He still wasn’t fit for regular company.

  He’d go back to the way things were before.

  A knot of regret settled in his chest. Except he had a feeling things would never be the same again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lightning flashed, illuminating the bedroom. Tilly groaned and rolled over, tugging the pillow over her head. A booming crash of thunder rattled the windowpanes. For the past hour, the storm had been unrelenting. She might have slept through the constant flashes, but the earth-shaking thunder was unavoidable.

  There’d been no sign of Lieutenant Perry or his men. Dinner had come and gone. The sun had set, and the clouds had obscured the stars. Her mood had deteriorated with each passing hour.

  Nolan had finally urged her to bed. He’d assured her that the weather was preventing a rescue attempt. He’d assured her that the cavalry would try again tomorrow. She wasn’t certain if he was assuring her, or himself.

  A door creaked and she bolted upright. Her heartbeat quickened. Had the cavalry decided to brave the weather anyway?

  A braided head poked around the corner. “Aunt Tilly, Elizabeth is scared of the storm,” Victoria said.

  Caroline appeared behind her sister.

  Tilly swung her feet over the edge of the mattress.

  Victoria clutched her hands together. “Aunt Tilly, I’m afraid of the storm, too.”

  A flash of lighting threw the room into relief, immediately followed by another crash of thunder.

  Victoria jumped and dove onto the bed, Caroline at her heels. Tilly snatched her wrapper from the post.

  “I’d best check on your sister.”

  She pushed open the door of the girls’ bedroom and discovered Elizabeth sound asleep in the center of the mattress.

  She bolstered a few pillows around the sleeping toddler and returned to her room. The clock chimed the five o’clock hour, and her heart sank. Their chances of being rescued safely diminished with each bell toll. Since they’d lost their first opportunity, would the men try to attack during the day?

  Though she was frightened of the impending violence, the waiting was driving her mad.

  Straightening, she considered how to distract her nieces. “Since it’s almost sunrise, why don’t we dress and make a special breakfast? I noticed the bread is running low, so we’ll start by making a fresh loaf.”

  Having something to do energized the girls, and they dashed away, returning shortly with their faces washed and their clothing donned. Tilly peeked at Elizabeth once more, and decided to let the sleeping child remain in bed. No sense in all of them dragging around that afternoon.

>   Though she’d never been particularly adept at making bread, there was something relaxing about kneading dough and watching the loaves rise.

  She’d finished setting out her supplies when the front door swung open. Nolan stood on the threshold, rain dripping from the brim of his hat.

  She quickly ushered him inside. “You’re soaking through.”

  He glanced into the kitchen and raised his eyebrows. “The girls are up early.”

  “The storm.”

  He lifted his hat and raked his hand through his hair. “I think you and the girls should stay close to the relay station today. If the captain is smart, he’ll wait until evening when the weather is clear enough to make an attempt at a rescue. But just in case he decides to make a daylight attack, we should stay inside.”

  “If this rain doesn’t let up, there’s not much we can do outside anyway.”

  Nolan replaced his hat. “If I see anything, I’ll let you know.”

  “You should stay.” She prodded him inside. “We’re making breakfast. We figured since everyone was up already, we might as well do something useful.”

  “I should go. I need to keep watch.”

  “If the cavalry hasn’t come by now, they’re not coming anytime soon.” Thunder crashed above them, rattling the dishes she’d set on the counter. “There’ll be nothing to see in this rain. You might as well sit out the storm with us.”

  He hesitated. “I have chores.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  “My chores could probably wait. Until after the storm.”

  “I won’t twist your arm.”

  A knock sounded on the back door.

  Tilly clutched her throat. “The lieutenant is here.”

  The outlaws never knocked. They came and went as they pleased, acting as though they owned the place.

  Her heart soared. “That’s our help. It has to be.”

  “Stay behind me,” Nolan ordered. “I’m not taking any chances.”

  He angled his body and opened the back door. A man in blue cavalry pants brushed past him. He wore an overcoat against the rain and a hat pulled low over his eyes.

  He lifted his head and Tilly gasped. “Captain Ronald. You came!”

  Stomping his feet, the captain glanced up. “If I had known you’d be this happy to see me, I’d have checked on you five yesterday.”

  “Checked on us?” Tilly’s euphoria lowered a notch. “Where are the rest of your men?”

  “Back at the fort. I sent my scout ahead, but I wanted to stop by Pyrite and see how you were holding up.”

  “Then you haven’t spoken with Lieutenant Perry?”

  “No.” The captain shrugged out of his coat and rainwater pooled on the floor. “Lieutenant Perry is on leave. He won’t be back for another month.”

  Tilly’s confusion grew. “But I don’t understand. The lieutenant was supposed to deliver a message.”

  Her stomach knotted. Nothing made sense. The lieutenant hadn’t mentioned he was on leave. A small enough oversight. Perhaps this was simply a misunderstanding or a break in communication. Had Perry and the captain crossed paths without realizing they’d missed each other?

  Nolan grasped a handful of the captain’s shirt and shoved him against the wall. “What’s going on? I want the truth.”

  “Have you gone mad?” The captain brought up his hands and shoved Nolan. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “I think the other man already delivered his message,” a small voice said.

  The three adults turned toward the speaker.

  Victoria’s cheeks pinkened at the attention and she went silent.

  Tilly strode across the room and draped an arm around her niece’s shoulder. “You’re not in any trouble, but I need you to explain.”

  “The man who came by before, he was speaking with Dakota Red.”

  Tilly felt as though all the air had been sucked out of the room. “Are you certain?”

  “Yes. I’m certain. You and Nolan woke me up that night with your talking. I saw the man’s horse, and I watched him from the window.”

  “It was raining that night. Are you certain you know what you saw?”

  “Fairly certain. He was speaking with someone, and it wasn’t you or Mr. West, because you two were still inside. The first man left. Then Nolan came outside and the second man followed him inside. You three talked for a while, and then he left.”

  Lieutenant Perry had betrayed them. He’d been in league with the outlaws all along. That was the only explanation for his actions.

  “We’re not being rescued.” Tilly’s hand flew to her mouth, and she collapsed onto a chair. “Help isn’t coming.”

  Nolan staggered backward and raked both hands through his hair.

  “Hold up.” The captain yanked his shirt, straightening his wrinkled collar. “What’s going on here? What are y’all talking about?”

  “Where’s your horse?” Nolan demanded.

  “Hitched to the front post. Where else would he be?”

  “Did you see anyone else when you rode through town?”

  “No. No one.”

  “There’s no time to explain,” Nolan said. “Put your coat back on, we have to hide your horse.”

  “I’ll follow along for now,” the captain said. “But you owe me an explanation, and that explanation had better be good or I’ll speak with your superiors at the Pioneer Stagecoach. If you’re yanking my leg, you’ll be manning a station in the Mojave Desert.”

  “That would suit me fine,” Nolan replied grimly. “Follow me.”

  The back door burst open.

  Caroline shrieked.

  The two men turned toward the front entrance, and the second door slammed open. From opposite ends of the house, Dakota Red and Charlie stalked toward each other, effectively blocking the exits, keeping them all trapped.

  Captain Ronald reached for his sidearm. A gunshot sounded.

  “Too slow.” The outlaw chortled.

  A plume of smoke drifted from the barrel of his gun.

  The captain grunted and lurched to one side. He slid down the wall, his legs stretched before him, his right hand clutching the wound on his leg.

  Tilly shoved the girls behind her and backed them toward the kitchen. Nolan stood before them, his arms splayed, shielding the girls as best he could with his body.

  A heavy thud sounded.

  Dakota Red chuckled, a low menacing sound that sent shivers snaking down Tilly’s spine. Victoria whimpered and Tilly tightened her hold.

  “It’s all right. I promise. It will be all right.”

  She didn’t know why she said the words. Clearly, nothing was all right. Caroline trembled violently and Victoria sobbed. The acrid stench of gunpowder filled the air. Tilly glanced toward the bedroom door, searching for Elizabeth. There was no way the toddler had slept through the commotion.

  “What do we have here?” The outlaw chortled. “I only seen one horse. You traveling alone? And don’t lie to me, or I’ll know.”

  “I’m alone,” Captain Ronald gasped, his voice strained. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah. I watched you ride in. You’re just the man I wanted to see. When is the gold shipment coming through town? I’m tired of waiting.”

  “Friday,” the captain wheezed.

  “We’ve got ourselves a real problem. One of you is lying. The stagecoach man says there ain’t no coach scheduled on Friday. You’re telling me there is. Which one of you should I kill for trying to fool me?”

  Charlie grasped Nolan’s upper arm and yanked him forward. “Let’s shoot this one. I never did like the way he looked at me.”

  “No!” the captain shouted. “He’s not lying. The regular stagecoach is coming thro
ugh tomorrow. On Friday, there will be an unscheduled coach. We figured it was safer if no one knew about the extra shipment.”

  Charlie kicked aside the worktable and grinned. “Come out, come out wherever you are. I guess we won’t be needing you folks anymore.”

  Tilly blanched and hugged the girls tighter. Nolan lunged for them and Charlie’s gun cocked, halting his motion.

  “We still need them.” Dakota Red waved his gun in their direction. “We need a clean getaway. I want a head start on our escape. The more miles we put between us and this town, the better. That’s what got us caught the last time. We stick with the original plan. The stagecoach man and his wife will keep everything looking normal. We unload the shipment during the change of horses, and no one is the wiser. By the time they discover the gold is missing, we’ll be long gone.”

  Nolan pushed the girls behind him, and Tilly scooted to his side, blocking the girls’ view of the wounded man in the center of the room. The captain clutched his leg, and blood oozed through his fingers.

  “He’s bleeding,” Tilly said. “Let me help him.”

  “He’s going to die sooner or later,” Dakota Red snarled. “You’re wasting your time.”

  “I can’t watch him suffer.”

  Nolan gave her waist a reassuring squeeze. “Let her help.”

  “It’s your time to waste.” Dakota Red said.

  Tilly gathered her nieces. “Come along—you two wait in the bedroom and watch Elizabeth.”

  None of the outlaws protested as she led the sisters away from the violence. The girls perched on the edge of the bed. Blurry-eyed, Elizabeth stuck her thumb in her mouth. This time Tilly didn’t scold her.

  She kneeled before them. “I promise you, everything will be all right. I need you to stay strong for a few minutes, and take care of each other. Can you do that? Can you take care of each other?”

  The three of them nodded in solemn unison.

  “Good girls. I’ll be back soon. Stay in here until I come for you.”