by Caryl McAdoo
“You got plenty of cartridges for both?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You got a holster for the Baby?”
“No, most ladies carry them in their hand bags.”
He looked at her.
She shook her head and shrugged. “Don’t have one.”
“Let’s fix that. And how about a shawl, and some blankets and coats for you and my partner here? It’s liable to turn off cold.”
“Oh, Levi, you can’t. You’ve done so much already.”
“Well, I could loan you my duster, but then I’d get cold. It is late October.”
She laughed at his feeble attempt of humor, but the image of her sharing his duster with him sent her flutterbyes to tickle her tummy.
“Well, your partner and I thank you, most appreciated gentleman.” She closed her eyes and dipped her head. “Surely Charles will see to it that you’re repaid for all your too-kind generosity.”
Wallace Rusk told himself with each headache-jarring step that Rebecca would be worth it. He knew she would. Hadn’t intended to get drunk last night, but the mere thought of finally facing her – in the flesh – drove him to the bottle.
What if she didn’t feel the same way about him?
One thing proved no doubt; he hated hangovers. He promised himself never again to ever touch anything stronger than sarsaparillas. Well, maybe a beer or two after an especially dusty ride, but in moderation.
No more than three.
The decision offered a measure of relief to his constitution but did nothing to alleviate the pounding against his skull. He laid everything out on his blanket, folded it once, then rolled it tight and tied it off.
With the bedroll flung over one shoulder and his saddle bags over the other, he was ready. Images of Henry Buckmeyer flashed before his inner eye. Could have been just the thought of trying to get past that man was what really drove him to the bar last night.
It had been what? Eight years since he’d seen the colonel? Right after the battle at San Jacinto; yep, that’d be eight alright. Time sure flew. Wallace chuckled remembering the day.
Old Henry sure didn’t let any grass grow before heading back home to Rebecca’s mother, who according to Levi was as pretty as his love.
After one quick stop for an eye opener, he beat Levi to the livery. He saddled his horse and teetered on the verge of winning the internal debate about procuring a wee little pocket bottle when Levi and Sassy with the little boy between them came riding up.
No telling what the Captain had spent buying the covered wagon and fine looking set of mules.
“About time, partner.”
Charley stood, crossed his arms over his chest, and glared. “Me Bay-lor’s partner.”
Wallace tipped his hat to the boy. “Sorry, didn’t mean any offense; should’ve called him Captain anyway.” He looked at Sassy. “He tell you he got a promotion?”
“No, he didn’t, but the shopkeeper did.”
Levi shook his head and rolled his eyes at his friend then turned to the charming Mis’ess Nightingale. “It isn’t a done deal.”
“Will be, Captain.” He pointed a gun finger at Charley. “And you can call me Sarge!”
The boy gave him a suspicious sideways glance. Wallace laughed but wasn’t sure about trekking across the Republic with the little wild man.
It pleased Levi that Wallace showed ready to leave. He locked the brake, jumped down then extended his hand to Sassy. “Care to help?”
She let him assist her down. “Sure, with what?”
He grabbed Charley, swung him up onto his shoulders then nodded toward the barn. “Come see.”
He led her to the far corner then stopped. “What do you think of my new horse?”
She moved up beside him and looked in the stall. “Oh, Levi, he’s gorgeous.”
“A little high strung, but what stallion isn’t?”
Charley patted the top of Levi’s head. “Me ride him?”
“We’ll see.” He handed the boy over his head to his mother, grabbed the rope that hung next to the stall gate, and then stepped in.
The horse snorted and crow hopped, but Levi got the rope around his neck then over his nose. In twice the time he would have spent on his paint, he had the stud saddled.
He turned to Rose who wore a bemused expression. “What?”
“Nothing, but –”
“But what?”
“Did you choose him or just take what they gave you?”
For a moment, he didn’t understand what she said meant. Then it dawned on him, “No, I bought him with the wagon and mules all together.”
“No doubt he’s a magnificent animal, but he doesn’t look too well mannered.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Wait a minute, what did you say? You bought the wagon and team?”
“Yes, ma’am. We needed it, so I bought it.”
“When you said you procured the wagon, I thought –” She grimaced like the idea of spending so much money was repugnant.
Levi touched her arm and bent to her eye level. “It’s fine, Rose. Stop worrying about the money. You and my little partner are more valuable than all I own.”
It was too much. Sassy couldn’t stand being indebted or coming home to Charles with such a load. It wouldn’t be fair. How would she ever repay him?
“Oh, Levi, we’ve been such a burden to you. I don’t know how, but Charles and I will repay every it all just as soon as we can.”
He took her hand and patted it with his other, sending tingles straight to her heart. “The major is putting in a voucher for the paint and my pistol.” He glanced at the gray. “I like the stud way better, and I’ve been hankering for a Paterson Colt for a while now.
“Oh, that makes me feel all better.” She shot him a sassy grin.
“I can sell the mules and wagon once we get to Clarksville, and get my money back.” He shrugged. “I’ve been blessed. Forget about the money, you don’t owe me a thing. It’s nothing compared to having you and Charley safe and home again.”
Whatever would she have done if the Lord hadn’t sent Levi Baylor to Bold Eagle’s camp? “I’ll try, but please don’t spend any more on us.”
He laughed patting her hand again. She shouldn’t enjoy his touch so much. It would be a good thing to get home to Charles and hold his hand. But though she tried her best to remember, she couldn’t recall ever feeling those tingles with any other man.
That didn’t make them right, though.
The one responsible for her internal conflict brought her out of her train of thought – a good thing – and back to the wonderful event at hand. “We best be going.”
Charley hated riding in the wagon; he should be with Bay-lor. He tugged on his mother’s sleeve. She glanced at him. “What?”
“Give me Baby.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Bad man may come.”
“The rangers can handle it.”
He looked at Wallace who seemed to be dozing in the saddle then over to Bay-lor who sat the gray like he owned the world. His partner should and could own it all.
Climbing over into the back of the wagon, he let his mind wander. It went to that wonderful place where he was big and could do everything without a mother always stopping him.
He and Bay-lor rode the high plains counting coup on all their enemies. They raced across the flatlands so fast it blurred his vision. He loved being with Bay-lor.
While he and his partner hunted a bad man, he carried the Baby at the ready. His eyes grew heavy. Then the wanted man they chased changed into Bold Eagle, and Charley was no longer the hunter, but the hunted.
The cunning Indian chief followed him through a heavily wooded forest, slipping from tree to tree.
Charley looked around for Bay-lor, but could only find his mother, and Bold Eagle was slipping up silently behind her. Where was his partner? He couldn’t let the chief steal her again. He had to save her.
Whooping a shrill war cry, he ran towa
rd the one he used to call father firing the Baby. He didn’t want to go back. He hollered at the Comanche. “No! No! You not steal Mama! You trade me! Stop!”
A hand shook him.
He opened his eyes to see his mother turned around in her seat peering at him. “Wake up, sweetheart.”
He hated it when tears wet his eyes. “Bold Eagle come steal you. Take back. I not want go. Him no steal you.”
She rubbed his hair turning back to her driving. “That will never happen, not while Captain Baylor is watching over us.”
He wiped his cheeks. She was right; he was safe with the ranger. He closed his eyes again and soon rode the plains again with his partner. “Bold Eagle tried to steal Mama.”
“Did he now? Well, he better never try when I’m around. No one will ever steal your mother while I’m there. You and I will save her; we’ll protect her and always keep her safe.” He stuck out his hand. “Deal?”
“Yes, Bay-lor, deal. Me and you partners.” He broke into his Comanche, looking to his mother.
She smiled at the ranger. “As long as the sun rises in sky.”
Sassy hated it that her little boy had nightmares. How could she keep him from being tormented like she had been for so long? So many nights she relived being stolen then the beatings.
Yet, easier dreams eventually came; ones where someone rescued her and took her home again. She tried hard to remember, to see that one’s face. Had she been dreaming of Levi all those nights?
She thought back to the livery. Rose.
He called her Rose instead of Sassy. From his lips, she loved it so much better than the full name her father had given her. She’d never known another named Rosaleen.
Why Levi changed from Sassy, she didn’t know, but it made her feel softer, sweeter, more feminine. Matter of fact, everything about him, everything he did, caused her to feel that way.
And very special. It’d been a long time since she felt special.
She glanced over at him. He and Wallace rode side by side laughing about something. Would Rebecca take to her brother’s friend? How much fun would it be if she had married Levi when she was fifteen, and Rebecca had married Wallace?
Her wedding day danced across her mind’s eye. Where was Levi that day? Eighteen hundred and thirty-eight. Had it really been six years?
Mirabeau Lamar replaced Houston as president that year and started the war again with the Comanche. In ’38, Levi would have been off fighting somewhere.
If Lamar hadn’t invaded Comancheria, maybe she would never have been stolen in the first place. Politicians never took into account how their actions might affect the people.
Images of Bold Eagle’s camp replaced the Hall of the Congress. Her time with the people after she learned the language and finally stopped sassing hadn’t been a complete nightmare.
And her friendship with Honey Badger made living with Bold Eagle and the other wives bearable. Still, every time he called her to his teepee never was. She hated him and hated being his third wife.
Why had he called her that last night, knowing she would be leaving the next day? Because he was cold and cruel, that’s why. And his first wife even crueler, withholding her special tea.
The old hag hated the thought of Bold Eagle fathering any more children. Sassy rubbed her stomach. What an awful thing it would be to have his child.
The Ne’er-be-satisfied-woman’s words shouted at Laura, the youngest rescued, and now, in her head, at Sassy. “Who will want you or your little half-breed baby?”
Poor girl, only a child herself. Why would she go back to the Comanche knowing Bear Fang walked with the ancestors. Maybe she intended to just disappear into the wilderness.
Sassy said a quick prayer for the fifteen-year-old. Fifteen. The same age she’d been when she married Charles. Only a child herself as well, except back then, Sassy thought she was all grown up.
Oh, the innocence of youth.
Levi stood in the saddle, but still couldn’t see the fort. He glanced west, another half hour until sunset. He faced Wallace. “Going to be dark soon, what do you think?”
“Doc’s Fort is way better than making camp.”
“I agree; how far you think it is?”
“Why didn’t you just ask? It’s about another half mile.”
“You sure?”
“We came this way two years ago, don’t you remember?”
Levi waved him off. “I’ve slept since then.” Hopefully nothing had changed other than the good doctor not being there. When he first heard Doc and two of his friends got themselves murdered, the news hit hard.
Almost to the yard—not that he’d stepped it off—the log structure came into view. The fort set atop the far bluff of Bushy Creek, but instead of it being the only structure there like the last time he’d been by, three dog-run cabins dotted the hillside in the fading light.
He and Wallace rode ahead. By the time Rose crossed the creek, the west gate was open and waiting. Good, he had made Fort Kenney the first day; only the Lord knew how many more days lay ahead.
Chapter
Nine
Levi nudged Wallace with his boot. “You awake?”
“What?”
He kicked him a little harder. “Are you awake?”
“Am now.” His friend rolled from under the wagon, looked skyward, then pulled himself up with the wagon wheel. “The stars are still out; it’s the middle of the night.”
Levi handed him a cup of coffee. “It’ll be light soon enough.”
Wallace took the offering then looked around. “Sassy up yet?”
“No, her and Charley got a snorin’ chorus going on in the wagon.”
“What about breakfast?”
“I’ve got biscuits going.”
His friend sipped his coffee looking like he was still hanging over a bit. Shortly, he drained his cup then tossed the dregs into the fire. “Guess I’ll see to the mules.”
After Levi got the fatback to frying, Rose stuck her head out from the wagon’s back and pointed toward the skillet. “I could have done that. Still could take it over if you like.”
He smiled. “We’re on the verge of burning daylight as it is.”
She returned his smile. “Is anyone else up?”
“I saw the Widow Kenney aways back, and Wallace is fetching the mules.”
She climbed down then stepped close to the fire, clutching her shawl around herself against the morning chill. “Anything I can do?”
He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her. “No, I’ve got breakfast. How about you cook supper?”
After offering her thanks again to the Widow Kenny and other folks she’d met the night before, Sassy slapped the reins over the mules’ backs and pulled away from the little fort. She’d slept so soundly last night enclosed by the four eight-foot walls of the fort, and knowing Levi and Wallace stayed right there under the wagon. She loved the two men being so close.
It hurt her heart that Charley fought so hard to sleep with his Bay-lor, but she’d prevailed. She glanced behind her, the little scalawag still sawed logs. He was either full blast or a total goner; if only she could sleep like that.
Sassy whistled softly. Levi eased the gray close; she checked the boy and scooted over on the wagon’s bench. “He sure did want to sleep with his Bay-lor real bad last night.”
“I couldn’t help but hear. Also caught some of his dream of yesterday afternoon.”
She glanced back again at her sleeping baby. “I don’t know what I’m going to do when we get home.”
He shrugged. “Well, it’s best to let tomorrow take care of itself; today will have trouble enough of its own.”
She laughed. “Yes, that’s right. Sure can tell you grew up with your Aunt Sue.”
“Well, she said it some, but Uncle Henry’s who lived it.”
“I was always a little scared of him, he seemed so stern.”
He laughed. “You and Bitty Beck used to giggle so much and make such a ruckus.” He poin
ted his finger gun at her. “With Henry Buckmeyer, you’d finally run into a man you couldn’t sass and get away with it.”
She smiled and shrugged, maybe that was it. But she’d only been twelve that last time she got to stay with Rebecca. “Anyway, it’ll be good to see them all.”
“Yes, it will.”
To be sure she wanted that and looked so forward to it, but even more, she wanted to scoot over, have him tie the gray to the back of the wagon, and visit with her all day. Then again, that would never do. “Didn’t you say something about Mister Henry and your Aunt Sue having another little lady?”
“Yes, ma’am, I did. Four in all now.” He smiled. “Mary is already eleven, Gwendolyn’s turnin’ ten the end of this month. Cecelia is eight, and Baby Bonnie--she’s a year younger than Charley if I’m remembering all that right. They’re hard to keep up with, but I think she turns four in December. Maybe five.”
“Wow. Charley turns five in February, so they’re like ten months apart. CeCe was still a toddler last I saw her.”
“When was that?”
“At my wedding.”
He looked away. “Oh yeah, sorry I didn’t make that.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. You were busy keeping everyone in the territory safe for goodness sake.” She glanced again at her son. “Anyway, I imagine they’re wanting a boy, huh?”
“I’m sure.”
“Will there be another fort for tonight?”
He shook his head. “No, open sky is the order, but if all goes well, we’ll be at Code Brown’s in three days.”
“Oh, so we’ve got the next two nights camping out.” She really didn’t want to hear that, but with him and Wallace under the wagon, she’d be fine.
Charley tapped her shoulder. “Me hungry.” He climbed onto the seat. “Morning, Captain Bay-lor.”
“Good morning, Partner.”
She dug out the cold biscuits and fatback she’d saved for him.
