Collection 1

by Therese A. Kramer

  He watched her sleep and decided that in the morning would be time enough to bring her in. He held her tight and fell asleep calling himself every vile name he could think of at that moment and how he hated himself. He was dead tired and hadn’t realized how sound he had slept until a rap-tap-tap knocking sound startled him awake. Disoriented, it took him a moment to realized where he was and that it was a damn woodpecker. Jeeze, he had slept like a rock, and he yawned cursing that tap-taping. It was then he discovered he was alone and he figured Geena went outside to see to nature. He had to take a piss also and when he went to sit up, he nearly pulled his arm out of its socket; his one hand had been tied to the iron headboard.

  “What the hell? Son-of-a-bitch,” he swore aloud. He had been shackled with his own handcuffs. “How the hell did she do that?” he ranted into the empty room. “Well, she’ll not get away with that!” he continued to rant out loud. “And damn that noisy woodpecker!”

  It took him a long time of struggling and trying to break the headboard before he spotted the keys at the end of the bed, lying in the sheet. After that it took him no time at all to mount his horse and head back into the woods, back to the thief’s camp.

  Chapter Ten

  His heart may have been stolen but not his pride.

  There’s no place on earth that she could hide!

  Lace rode hard and fast until he reached the thick forest of Montana. Once in the thick foliage, he trotted. He’d never ridden a horse with such speed before, and he hated to give Gene back his mount. Geena had told him that her family and neighbors called themselves, The People OF The Mist. Today, as he rode deeper into the woods, there was none of the usual mist, only sun shinning through the trees. The woods seemed strange, different somehow, quieter. An uneasy sensation ran down his spine and he didn’t like the feeling in his gut.

  He continued to trot wondering if his bearings were wrong. He shook off that notion because the familiar mountains came in view when he reached a clearing. He was possitive he was in the right place but where once stood a community was now a deserted clearing. The horse snorted and pranced, as if he recognized the place.

  “Easy boy.” Lace pulled in the reins “You know this place, eh? So where in hell are they?” His mount snorted again and shook his head as if to say he had no answer either. “I guess until I find Geena, and although we were never formerly introduced, you and I are together in this.” The horse snorted again. “Where could they have gone so swiftly? Not a sign of them or anything. A whole community, houses and all just couldn’t disappear.”

  Lace shook his head and continued his one sided conversation. “I was shot, this I know for sure because I can still feel the pain, but was I hallucinating? No, Geena and her people were all real. Damn! I’ll get to the bottom of this if I have to search the whole country!” He scratched the nap of his neck. “Jeezeeee, why do I have this creepy feeling that I’m being watched? And why do I continue to talk to myself?”

  Lace rode back to the one-horse town of Watermill, where he was the marshal. Although, the town was pretty quiet, with its one saloon, emporium, boarding house and a few small establishments, he had been gone too long.

  And, he needed a drink. Damn, he needed the whole damn bottle!

  “C’mon, Robin, its time to ride; you need to put on the feed bag and I need to get good and drunk.”

  ***

  “Oh, mother, did you see the look on Lace’s face when he discovered we were gone. I never should’ve come back. I love the man and this is so unfair. I should have stayed with him.”

  “Now daughter you know that’s impossible. The law is the law and---”

  “Oh, a pox on the law! I’m not a true People Of The Mist. I sill should be able to leave. Who knows when the mist will return and where. Tomorrow, I’ll insist on speaking with the counsel!

  “Geena, your father had already talked to the council of elders and they refused to budge on their decision. Besides, we all depend on you, you know that.”

  “Well, then maybe I should refuse to steal anymore when we appear again.”

  “Please dear, you took an oath and if you break your word, you’ll be punished.”

  “I’m already punished, mother. My heart is broken, so what can they do to me that will hurt me more? Fritz is of age to take my place, I’ll take my chances with the elders.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Regrets are like snow that melted in the sun.

  You cannot bring back what has been done.

  Sorry now that he let Geena slip away from his life, Lace searched the country-side over a month with no luck. In fact, there hadn’t been any robberies by a masked outlaw claiming to be G. T. in all that time. There were times like now he had given up hope, and then he’d recall the love he and Geena had shared and he resumed his search. He had resigned his position as marshal, leaving Watermill. He was no use to the people since he was away from the little town more than he was there.

  One day, he rode into a small town in Wyoming, just across the Montana border as a stagecoach pulled in. The driver was shouting that the stage had been robbed. Lace wasn’t sure if he was happy or frightened hearing the news. Geena was back and she was still wanted, with a large reward over her head. He pushed his way through the crowd, grabbing the driver by the arm.

  “Sir, did you get a look at the thief?”

  The old timer spat, just missing his boots. “Naw, he was wearing a mask, but he only robbed a wealthy traveling man who whimpered like a babe having his bottle of milk taken from him.”

  Lace scratched his chin.

  Had The People Of The Mist settled in Wyoming? Had his little thief expanded her territory over the border?

  He decided to ride the next stagecoach out of town, hoping that she would try again, but the stage made it to its destination without a mishap. After three weeks of riding those damn sweat boxes on wheels, as he called them, he was in a rotten mood traveling with uncoth and unclean men, chatty women, and crying children. Besides, his spine was bruised from constantly hitting the back of the coach and his legs were camped.

  He developed a blister on his rump too.

  Although, Lace was ready to pull out every hair on his head, he wouldn’t give up. Sooner or later, she’d attempt another holdup and he’d be there to catch her. Then he learned that the driver old Jasper was retiring. He decided, since he was spending most of his time in those damn contraptions, he would get a job driving the stagecoach. It was on the third day, after he picked up a payroll for the army that a lone rider raced down a hill firing at him. He pulled in the reins and thought, finally. His little thief was after the payroll and she was smart because she knew it was insured. Well, this time she was in for a big surprise.

  “Hands up, mister,” the voice under the bandana yelled. He obliged.

  “Everyone one out!” came the next order and Lace frowned. The voice was different and at a closer look so were the eyes; not green but brown. Damn, this wasn’t Geena. No matter, no one was going to rob him! Thankfully, he had been told that his only passenger was a young widow. She had already been in the coach when he came out of the depot and the oilcloth covering the windows was drawn. From where he stood, he saw the door open and a slim ankle in black stockings appeared before the top of a black hat. The widow glanced up and her face was covered with a black veil. She remained quiet.

  “Throw down the strong box,” the thief demanded and by the voice, Lace believed that the outlaw was young. He had no desire to shoot the kid and he had to think fast. He tossed the box startling the young man’s horse. As the thief tried to control his mount, Lace jumped off the roof of the coach, knocking the kid off his mount. He yanked him up and they struggled. He was able to get hold of the outlaw’s gun and subdued him in seconds. Lace yanked down the bandana and was surprised to see a familiar face.

  “You’re from the camp. I’ve seen you there. What’s your name?” The kid mashed his lips together tighter than a clam. “Well, you’re going to jail,
and maybe facing a judge will loosen your tongue.” He shackled the kid and had him climb up top to sit next to him. He didn’t want to subject the young lady to an outlaw.

  After having the kid locked up, he visited a saloon for a drink. The damn kid wouldn’t answer the sheriff‘s questions, and he hated the fact that he had to have the young man jailed. He was sorry it wasn’t Geena. Damn, where was she?

  Geena rented a room at the local hotel. She was so filled with conflicting emotions that she ripped off the black hat and veil and threw it on the bed. She was responsible for Fritz’s safely and had promised the elders to make sure he was safe. She had been ready with the small pistol in her dress pocket, but when she glanced up at the driver, she nearly lost her balance.

  “What the hell was Lace doing? After asking herself that foolish question it didn’t take her long to realize exactly what he was dong. He was driving the stage in hopes of capturing her. Damn! She couldn’t go back to camp and tell the council that she had screwed up. Poor Friz. This was only the second job and now he faced prison time all because she hadn’t the guts to shoot Lace again.

  “Oh, damn him for putting her into such a quandary! It took all her willpower not to run into his arms and tell him how much she loved him and how much she had missed him. But if she had, all she would have accomplished would be getting thrown in jail with the boy. What a predicament. One minute she had wanted to smother him with kisses and the next she wanted to strangle the man for having Fritz arrested.

  Geena paced the small room deep in thought, her forehead knotted with worry. She had to break the kid out of jail, but how? After wearing the carpet thin she decided there was only one way. Donning her hat and veil, she walked to the jailhouse. The sheriff pulled his booted feet off the desk and stood as soon as she entered.

  “Yes, ma’am, may I help ya?”

  “Sorry to disturb you, sheriff, but I was on the stagecoach when it was robbed and I’d like to talk to the young man. My husband was a preacher,” she lied. “I would like to have a talk with the poor misguided soul, maybe I can get him to change his unlawful ways.”

  He sheriff shrugged. “I can’t see what harm it would do, ma’am. Maybe ya can get him to give me his name.”

  “I’ll try sheriff. Thank you.”

  When the lawman grabbed the keys off the nail and turned his back to her, she quickly shoved the gun into his neck. He stiffened and muttered expletives.

  “Sorry, sheriff, but that young man is coming with me. Now, open the cell and get yourself in there.” She gave him a little shoved. “C’mon, Fritz, hurry.”

  The boy’s eyes grew wide and he jumped up, grabbing his hat.

  “Geena, what are you doing,” he gasped.

  “Saving your ass! Now, hurry.”

  “Yer’ll not get away with this, miss!” the sheriff’s sneer wasn’t a pleasant thing and he raised his fist in anger.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled again and they ran out the back door.

  “Now what?” asked Fritz. “we don’t have a horse.”

  “After Lace had you arrested, I kept an eye on him. Before he went to a saloon, he went to the stable and fed his horse.” Her laugh came out harsh “His horse! Ha! It was my father’s mount. C’mon, we’ll sneak around the back and get Robin.”

  “I’m sorry, Geena,” he said in a husky whisper.

  She waved aside his words. “Hush, it’s not your fault. Lace was waiting for me, if he wasn’t there, you would have done fine. Now, when we get back to camp, please do not mention this to any one. You did good the first time, you’ll do all right again.”

  “But, I can’t go back empty handed; the people will know something went wrong.”

  “Damn, your right. Go to the stable and lay low.”

  “What are you going to do? Please, I’m scared that something will happen to you.” His Adams apple bobbed, and she knew he was swallowing a sob of fear. She grabbed his trembling hand and overlooked his anxiety, she had to, she was nervous enough herself. “If that happens, and don’t return in about ten minutes, go home on your own, but I promise, I’ll be back.”

  Geena crossed the street, sideswiping the dung and puddles. She had to assume that the strong box was in the depot waiting to be delivered to its destination. Inside the building, there was a clerk behind the desk, and luckily he was alone. He looked up and asked, “May I help you, ma’am?”

  “Why, yes you can.” Again Geena pointed her weapon and ordered the man to open the box. He was a small thin fellow and appeared to be quite shaken by the gun being pointed at him. He did as he was told and she only took a small amount in her little black bag. It was enough to satisfy her people for the time being.

  “Now, I want you to stay inside for at least fifteen minutes. I have a partner ouside who will shoot you if you try and alert anyone. Do you understand?”

  He nodded and trembled.

  Geena could only hope he kept his word as she ran out of the depot. Outside, she nonchalantly walked to the stable, her heart beating double time expecting the clerk to come out screaming that he had been robbed. Praying the man believed her shallow threat, she nodded to passerby’s as women smiled and men tipped their hats. She found Fritz hiding in a stall and together they rode Robin out of town.

  Goodbye again my love, she mused as tears fell freely.

  Chapter Twelve

  The truth can be hidden in lies…

  You just have to look inside the disguise…

  “Son-of-a-bitch!” Lace railed and curses fell from his mouth as he threw his hat across the jailhouse. He was breathless with rage. “That little shrew!” He was fit to be tied when the sheriff told him how the boy had escaped with the help of the woman in black.

  He had left the saloon itching to strangle the young thief if need be to get him to tell where the camp was and where was Geena. He did not expect to find the lawman locked up in his own cell.

  “What happened?” he asked sharply, unlocking the iron door.

  The lawman looked at him for a prolonged moment and winced at his embarrassing question. “A woman said that she wanted to talk with the kid, saying that she wanted to help him.” He cursed. “Damn, she had me fooled. She helped him alright, right out the back door! I heard the kid call her Geena.”

  Lace balled his fists. “Damn it to hell! She was on the stage with me all the time.” So many feelings seemed to jam his throat. “Probably having a good laugh at my expense! Well, at least I know she’s in this territory.” He retrieved his hat and slammed it back onto his head. “I’ll find her…”

  The door banged against the wall and a little man ran in.

  “Sheriff, I’ve been robbed!”

  Lace and the sheriff both gaped at the little man who was shaking in his boots. It was Lace who spoke first. “Don’t tell me, the thief was a woman and she was dressed in black!”

  The little man nodded.

  Lace’s Stetson once again received the brunt of his anger.

  40

  After the clerk relayed his story, Lace told the man that he quit driving because he was going after the two. He went to the stable to get Robin and received another shock; his horse was gone. God, was there no limit to what she could do? Well, it was her father’s horse, so he couldn’t fault her for that. He asked around town as to where he could purchase a horse and was told by the doctor that there was a small horse ranch a mile or so due west of the town. The kind old doctor offered him a ride in his buggy since he was going there to see to the ranch owner’s wife. She was due to deliver her sixth child any day now. When he and the doctor arrived, a man ran out to greet them, yelling that his wife had been in labor all night.

  Lace knew the distraught man was in no condition to sell him a horse just then so he followed the two into the house. He was greeted by five, big eyed-children, he assumed were frightened by their mother’s screaming. Left alone with the children, he sat on a kitchen chair and grinned at them feeling like a fish out of water. They all continued to
stare at him as if had something to say.

  Well, maybe he should.

  “Err,” he cleared his throat. “I’m Lace.”

  A little girl giggled and chirped,. “That’s a girl’s name.”

  He smiled. “It’s short for Wallace.”

  “Oh!” she replied.

  “What’s your name?” he inquired.

  A boy, who seemed to be the eldest, at least fourteen, put a protective hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I’m Garth, and my two younger brothers’ are, Samuel, and Keith.”

  “Glad to meet you,” he smiled warmly.

  “This is Lulu, and the toddler in Sam’s arms is Ruth.”

  “I’m five,” Lulu beamed and demonstrated by holding up five digits.

  Just then their mother let out a blood curling scream and Lulu ran, jumping onto his lap. “Is mama going to die?” she turned into a watering pot. Now, he never had a sibling or had any knowledge how to handle a weeping child. He looked up to see a worried expression on all the children’s faces. His chest rose and fell in a frustrated sigh.

  “Mother has never been in labor so long,” he was informed by Garth.

  Lace gulped and did his best to comfort them. “I’m sure your mother will be all right.” But the quietness in the other room for a long moment frightened him. The children continued to gaze at him, and he prayed that he was right.

  “It’s too quiet,” said Sam.

  “I want papa,” wailed Lulu and he hugged the child closer to his chest kissing the top of her head. He never felt so helpless in his life. Then, a baby’s cry made him jump and he clung to Lulu more than she clung to him.

  Shortly, the rancher came out, looking as if he had been trampled by bufallo. He and the children said nothing waiting for their father to speak. The man mopped his wet face and neck with a soiled rag and rasped, “You have a sister.”