by Bobbi Smith
"Shut up, Chuck!" Will said, snarling. "Come on! Move it!" He motioned again for Mimi to get out of the stage.
As gracefully as she could, and with her head held high, Mimi descended. She had to half jump to make it, but she did so with aplomb. For a moment she was rather pleased with her execution of the descent, but then she looked up to find herself staring down the barrel of Will's six-gun.
"There's no reason for violence, young man. I've complied with your wishes."
"Well, beggin' your pardon all to hell and back, ma'am, but in case you haven't figured it out yet, this is a robbery," he said mockingly. "Give me all your money! Empty out your purse! Now!"
He gestured toward the small drawstring bag she was carrying, then looked inside the stage to see a younger woman standing in the doorway, watching him. She was a pretty young thing, but he was more interested in the strange wooden box she was clutching desperately in her arms, than in thinking about the fun he could have with her. There was no time for that now. They wanted money.
"What are you standing there looking at? Get down here, too!"
Glynna climbed down and hurried to stand with Mimi, who was handing over her purse.
"Gimme that box you got!" he demanded.
"No, it's my-" Glynna began.
Will fired a shot into the air to get her full atten tion, and he was glad to see her jump nervously at the threat.
"I done had about enough backtalk from her! I don't intend to take any from you. It won't pain me in the least to shoot the both of you! Now, give me the damned box!" He glared at her, the truth of his threat plain in the deadly look he was giving her.
For an instant, Glynna's gaze met his, and a shiver ran down her spine. His eyes were black and mirrored the viciousness Glynna knew must be in his soul. She knew better than to try to defy him, and reluctantly handed over her most treasured possession.
"What the hell is that?" the outlaw leader asked. He'd never seen anything like the small wooden box before.
"Damned if I know, Eli. Must be her family jewels, though, the way she was hanging on to it. Let's take a look-see. I think I got me some mighty fine loot here."
Will roughly unlocked the wooden case and threw back the lid. When he saw what was inside, he stared down at the contents in disgust. The only things in the box were paints and brushes.
"What the hell?" he complained, disappointed. He'd expected riches, not this.
"What is it?" The others were hoping there was a big haul in her treasure chest.
"There ain't nothing but a bunch of paints and brushes in here."
"Paints? What are you talkin' about?"
"You know like them artists use."
They swore loudly, irritated that it hadn't been something more valuable. Muttering a vile curse, Will flung the case away, not caring that the contents went flying or that the woman gasped in dismay at his action.
"What else we got?" one of the others demanded.
He rifled through Mimi's purse and started hooting over his luck as he pulled out her money.
"This your life savings, honey?" he asked Mimi. "Well, it ain't no more! It's ours now!"
He quickly pocketed the cash, gathered up Al's and Hank's discarded firearms, and got ready to ride. They were pleased with what they'd gotten for their efforts. The strongbox alone had held enough to keep them in whiskey and women for at least a month or two.
Another of the men dismounted and moved toward the team.
"What're you doing?" Al asked, tensing at his approach. After listening to them talk among themselves, he figured he was dealing with Eli Wilson and his gang. Nobody knew a whole lot about them, except that they were dangerous. He waited nervously to see what they would do next. Unarmed as he was, there wasn't anything he could do to stop them.
"We're gonna make sure you don't get word to the sheriff in Dry Creek," the man said as he drew his gun and smiled up at him evilly.
Al thought he was staring death in the eye. He glanced to where the two women were standing, pale and shaken, then looked back at the man he was certain was about to kill him. He girded himself for the worst, but instead of feeling the bite of hot lead, he was shocked when the outlaw simply unhooked the team of horses and turned them loose. The gunman fired into the air several times and watched in satisfaction as the terrified team took off at breakneck speed.
"That should slow you all down a bit."
The gang mounted up, ready to ride. They disappeared without looking back, leaving the victims of the robbery staring after them in outrage and horror.
"Ladies?" Al called out to them. "You all right?"
"Is it over? Are they really gone?" Glynna asked, still clutching her aunt's arm as she continued to gaze in the direction they'd ridden, as if expecting the outlaws to return at any minute and terrorize them some more.
"They're gone. They got what they wanted. We're just lucky we're still alive to talk about it."
"Who were they?" Mimi asked, still trying to come to grips with the notion that she'd just been held up in a stage robbery. She knew that in days to come she'd tell the story with a smile, but right now she was still too frightened to laugh about it.
"I'm thinkin' that was the Wilson gang. They're a mean bunch. I'd say we got off easy today-if you don't mind losing money."
"Money can be replaced. Our lives cannot," Mimi said, drawing a deep breath and gathering her courage once again. She patted Glynna's hand reassuringly. "Everything's going to be fine. We just had a taste of the real West, my dear. What do you think?"
Before Glynna could answer, Hank let out a low, tortured moan. Al immediately hurried to care for him.
"Can you ladies give me a hand?" Al asked. "He's been shot, and I can't get him down all by myself."
"Of course we'll help!" Mimi answered. She and Glynna hurried to his aid.
It wasn't easy, but the three of them managed to lower the wounded guard to the ground. Al quickly started to doctor his friend's wound.
"Is there anything we can do?" Mimi asked.
Al was surprised by her offer, but warned her, "This ain't no job for a lady."
"Sir, there are times when being a lady is more of a hindrance than a help. This is one of those times. This gentleman was wounded while protecting us. We must do all we can to help him." She started to roll up her sleeves.
He couldn't argue with her logic, and if she was ready and willing to help, he was going to take her up on the offer. "You know anything about nursing?"
"A little. What do you need?"
"Clean bandages," he said, unfastening Hank's shirt so he could examine the wound. "It looks like the bullet passed clean through, but he's bleedin' pretty heavily. I need something I can bind him up good and tight with."
"Glynna, can you get to our bags? I have some petticoats in my trunk that we can tear up and use for bandages."
"I'll get them right away!"
Glynna hurried to retrieve the petticoats. She'd been watching her aunt in amazement. For all that she'd known her all her life, there was a lot about Aunt Mimi that she didn't know. Glynna made a mental note to ask her where she'd learned how to nurse, once they got into town and got settled. Un fastening the trunk from where it had been stored in the rear boot, Glynna pulled the heavy piece of luggage free and dragged it to where she could get into it. It wasn't easy, but she managed. Opening it, she rummaged through her aunt's belongings until she found the items she was looking for. She deftly tore one petticoat into strips and then rushed to where Mimi and the driver were nursing the injured guard.
"Here, Aunt Mimi."
"Thank you, dear. With any luck, Mr. What is his name?" Mimi asked as she took the fine linen strips from her.
"Sanders," Al replied as he took the homemade bandages and began to apply pressure to the wound.
Mimi remained by the driver's side, offering what assistance she could, while Glynna looked on. Without proper medical supplies, they were limited as to how much they could do, but at least t
hey stopped the bleeding, and that was an accomplishment.
"How's that feel?" Al asked Hank as he slowly came around.
"Hurts like hell," Hank said in a pain-filled voice. Then as his vision became more focused and he saw the two women standing nearby, he quickly added, "Sorry, ladies."
"I'm sure we've heard the word before, Mr. Sanders," Mimi told him with a gentle smile. "We're just glad you're alive."
"You're not the only one, ma'am," Hank said slowly, trying to smile, but failing miserably. The pain in his shoulder was unrelenting. "They got away?"
"Yep. They got everything in the strongbox, our guns and the ladies' money."
"Damn. Who were they?"
"I think the Wilson gang."
"And we're still alive to talk about it?" Hank was surprised.
"Yep. I think maybe the ladies here are the reason. They may be our guardian angels." Al looked up at Mimi and Glynna.
"We should take them with us on every run." Hank's words were slow. "Let's get on back to town. Maybe the sheriff can catch the outlaws."
"We can't. The gang turned the team loose."
Hank gave a weary shake of his head, but did not mutter the curse word he was thinking.
"You rest now. I'll see what I can do about rounding up the horses."
"It ain't goin' to be easy."
"I know." Al patted him supportively on his good shoulder, then stood up and walked over to Glynna and Mimi. "Looks like Hank's going to be fine. The bullet didn't seem to hit anything vital."
"Thank heaven."
"Amen to that," he agreed, relieved that his friend was going to survive. "It ain't a pretty wound, but it won't put him six feet under, either. He might wish he was for a couple of days, though."
"What are we going to do without the horses?" Glynna asked.
"I'm going to take a look around and see if I can find them. Even if I find only one, at least then I can ride into Dry Creek and get some help."
"Do you think anyone will be coming along? Maybe someone who could help us?" Mimi looked up the road they'd just traveled, but saw no sign of civilization.
Al was trying to keep his worries about the other dangers in the area from the women. He knew they'd been through a lot already, but he realized there was no point in trying to protect them further. He had to tell them the truth. They'd been pretty levelheaded so far about everything; he just hoped they stayed that way. He didn't need any hysterical females to deal with. Things were tough enough as it was.
"There's not another stage due through here until tomorrow, so I don't look for any help that way. Even with us being late getting into town, I doubt they'll send anybody to check on us until morning."
"We're going to be stuck here that long?" Mimi asked.
"Maybe. Just depends on whether I can track down a horse or two."
"What would you like us to do while you're gone?"
"Just stay put and keep an eye on Hank. The big thing is getting him into town now, so the doc can take a look at him and make sure our handiwork was good enough."
"Of course, and Mr...."
"My name's Al, ladies. Shoulda told you that earlier. Just call me Al." He frowned then, thinking of them there alone and unprotected while he was gone. "I just wish I didn't have to leave you alone like this."
"You think there's a possibility we could be in more danger, even though we've already been robbed?" Glynna asked, startled at the thought. She wondered what else could possibly happen to them there in the seemingly uninhabited wilds of the Texas countryside.
Al looked a bit troubled, then told them his concern. "Renegades have been known to attack in this area. So take care. Stay close to the stage."
"Renegades?" Glynna's eyes widened at the possibility.
"It ain't likely, but stay close by just in case." He saw her reaction and thought she was scared.
Actually, though, Glynna wasn't frightened. She was thinking of what a magnificent painting it would make fierce warriors charging over the hills on their powerful horses. She knew a painting like that would sell right away.
"We will, Al," Mimi assured him. "And we're not as defenseless as you think." She reached into the pocket of her gown and pulled out a small derringer.
"Aunt Mimi!" Glynna stared in shock at the weapon her aunt held with seemingly practiced ease. "You've had a gun with you all this time?"
"I learned early in life to expect the unexpected," Mimi told her. "It's just a shame the outlaw gang caught me so unawares."
"Well, you take care with that gun, ma'am." Al had thought her quite a woman before when she'd helped him with Hank, and now his high opinion of her rose still higher.
"Don't worry. I've taken lessons in marksmanship."
"I didn't even know you owned a gun, let alone that you could shoot one!" Glynna was completely taken aback by this revelation about her aunt.
Mimi smiled. "It's not much of a weapon, but it's better than being completely defenseless."
"Well, stay close around the stagecoach, and I'll do my best to get us going again."
"We will, Al. Good luck finding the horses."
"If anyone comes to help, have them fire two shots. I should be able to hear you, and I'll come straight back."
That settled, Al checked on Hank once more, then headed off to try to track down the missing team. He hoped he'd have some luck, but he knew it was a long shot. Still, it beat the heck out of sitting around just waiting for someone to show up.
"What do you want to do while we wait?" Glynna asked.
"Ill keep an eye on Mr. Sanders and make sure he's comfortable. Why don't you see about collecting your things?" She glanced over to where the outlaw had thrown her paint box. "I hope nothing was ruined."
Glynna had forgotten all about her paints in the excitement, but at her aunt's suggestion, she quickly went off to retrieve her possessions. She found the box and discovered that the outlaw had broken the catch in his eagerness to open it. It took a while, but eventually she collected all the paints and brushes.
After assuring herself that Hank was resting as comfortably as possible, Mimi took the time to wash up as best she could with the water from one of the canteens. She rejoined Glynna where she sat in the shade of the stage.
"I knew when we left New York that this trip was going to be an adventure, but I never dreamed it would be this exciting," Glynna said.
"Can you imagine what your father would be saying right now, if he knew what we'd just been through? He'd never forgive me for subjecting you to such danger."
"He would be aghast." Glynna grinned widely at the thought. "But think of the inspiration I'll get from this. This is the real Wild West."
"Yes, it is," she agreed, patting her pocket with the derringer in it.
"Aunt Mimi, do you think it would be very dangerous if I just walked around a little and made some sketches? From the way the driver sounded, I think we're probably going to be here for a while."
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Do you want to take my gun with you?"
"I wouldn't know what to do with it. I promise I won't go far. I'll stay within shouting distance just in case you need me."
"Go on. I'll stay here and keep watch over the guard. But be careful. I think we've had enough real excitement for one day, don't you?"
"Absolutely," Glynna agreed. She got her sketchpad and a pencil and started off to capture on paper the essence of the landscape. Images were filling her mind, and she wanted to get them on paper so she could paint them later.
Mimi watched her go, and she smiled to herself. She let her thoughts drift as she settled in to wait. Charles had his hands full with Glynna, she thought. As Charles's younger sister by six years, Mimi knew she had led him a merry chase during their child hood with all her daring ways, but Glynna was proving to be twice the woman she was. Mimi was certain of it. If she could do anything to make Glynna's life easier than hers had been, she would do it.
Mimi had fought hard to achieve the indepen
dence she now enjoyed. Her life would have been very different if her husband James had lived, but he'd died in a tragic accident less than a year after their wedding, leaving her a very rich young widow. She had mourned James properly, but when her time of mourning was up, she'd forsaken the widow's life and had begun traveling and seeing the world.
Mimi had never experienced anything like this stage robbery before. It had been traumatic, but it had also been exciting. They'd just been robbed by real live Western outlaws!
Charles came into her thoughts again, and she wondered how to tell him about it. He had been adamant about the fact that he didn't want them going on this trip to the "uncivilized frontier," as he'd called it. When they'd had a moment alone, he'd told her that he would hold her personally responsible for Glynna's safety. Mimi smiled at the thought. Who would ever have dreamed that their stagecoach would be robbed, and in broad daylight? But no matter. They had survived the adventure unscathed. True, the outlaws had taken some of her money, but that had been only her pin money. She kept the bulk of her funds buried deeply in her trunk in a small hidden compartment. She and Glynna were in no way short of cash.
Mimi realized, though, that when the time came to tell Charles about the trip, she and Glynna were going to have to coordinate their versions of what had happened very carefully. What Charles didn't know couldn't hurl him, and they wanted to keep it that way.
Glynna hadn't meant to forget the stage driver's warning to stay close, but as she roamed away from the road, sketchbook in hand, she became more and more entranced with the beauty of the wilderness surrounding her. She stopped several times to draw a particularly interesting scene, and soon any thought of possible danger was forgotten. Untamed though the area was, she sensed no threat, felt no fear. Her creativity was urging her on. This landscape was why she'd come to Texas.
Glynna wasn't sure how far she'd wandered from the stage when a vista unfolded before her that left her enthralled. Low-growing mesquites and cedars provided the perfect frame for the view of a distant mesa. It rose tall and powerful against the horizon, its colors vivid in the brilliance of the afternoon sun. There was a rather flat rock nearby, so she sat down there, never letting her gaze shift from the view that so captivated her.
