Friends of the Family (The Colter Saga Book 1)

by Joel Baker

  He jumped when the dogs sprung from the porch. He'd only gotten a glimpse of the three dogs. They ran low to the ground, and were headed towards him! He ran for the horse he'd tied to a tree on the back of the ridge.

  Son of a bitch! Teddy thought. So that's what happened to my dogs.

  The dogs chasing after him were the biggest, meanest-looking dogs he'd ever seen. Teddy ran as fast as his skinny legs would carry him. When he reached the horse, he vaulted into the saddle. He rode down the far side of the ridge. When he reached the dirt road to Eagle Rock, he whipped the horse as hard as he could. All the way to town Teddy kept looking over his shoulder, sure those dogs would be right behind him.

  ****

  When the dogs made their dash for the ridge, Jesse stood and everyone on the porch stopped talking.

  "What is that all about?" Franklin asked.

  "I suspect we just got a visit from one or more of the Haskin boys," Jesse said.

  Jesse looked around. Cole and Mark were in plain sight by the oak tree next to the truck. He and Franklin were easy to spot standing on the front porch. Jesse ran over the side yard, and could see Lily through the front window. Sarah came out on the porch and asked Jesse where Daisy and the pups went.

  "Sarah, have you been out of the small cabin in the past hour?" Jesse asked.

  "Sure,” Sarah said. “I was shaking rugs. Why? What's wrong?"

  "I'm not sure,” Jesse said. “I suspect the Haskin boys were up on the ridge spying on us. Where's Paul?"

  "I sent him to clean the horse stalls first thing this morning,” Sarah said. “I haven't seen him since.”

  She and Jesse ran for the barn. It took a moment for Jesse's eyes to adjust to the dark barn. He could hear nothing but rain hitting the roof of the barn, and dripping off the eaves into puddles below. Pigeons cooed softly from high up in the rafters.

  "Paul? Paul? Are you in here?" Jesse yelled.

  Jesse heard nothing. Then, a head peered over the side of the hayloft above.

  "What's up?" Paul asked.

  Paul clambered down the ladder and stood between his mother and dad. Sarah grabbed him and held him close.

  "Gees, Mom,” Paul said. “Why the big fuss? I feel asleep, but I finished cleaning the stalls."

  "No problem,” Jesse said. “How long you been in the barn?"

  "Ever since breakfast. Why? What time is it?" Paul asked.

  "Never mind that,” Jesse said. “Come up to the main house. Sarah, you get Hattie and Lily too. Time for a family meeting.”

  Jesse walked fast towards the main house. Paul was running to keep up with his father's long strides. Jesse gathered Mark, Cole, and Franklin, and all five waited until Hattie, Sarah, and Lily joined them in the front room.

  "First of all, you need to know that we may be in for some trouble," Jesse started. "Let me finish and then I'll answer questions. I got bad news and good news. I believe that this morning, one or more of the Haskin brothers were up on the East Ridge, watching us. They were probably scouting us, because they're planning on paying us a visit."

  "Can I assume that's the bad news?" Sarah asked.

  "Yes,” Jesse said. “The good news is that Paul was goofing off and fell asleep in the hayloft in the barn. Normally that isn't good news. But as it turns out, whoever was watching us only saw two men and two boys. They will think there are four of us, but there are five."

  "What about the women?" Sarah asked.

  "Well, they already knew about Hattie, and I think they saw you shaking rugs and Lily in the window," Jesse said.

  "What we going to do?" Franklin asked.

  "Depends," Jesse said. "It depends on what the Haskin boys do. I haven't heard shots, so that must mean when they saw the dogs run off the porch, they high-tailed it out of there. I would have. They're too cowardly to try to sneak up on us at night through the woods knowing those dogs are around. I wish they would, but they won't.”

  "So what will they do?" Sarah asked.

  "I expect them to wander in here,” Jesse said. “Tomorrow at the latest. They'll try to get the drop on us. We're going to let them."

  "Oh, really nice plan, Jesse...," Sarah said.

  "Wait,” Jesse said. “I'm not done yet. Cole, Mark, and I were wearing our long coats this morning, thanks to the rain. Franklin, no offense, but they could spot you with or without a coat."

  "What?” Franklin asked with a smile. “You think I don’t know I'm black?"

  "They are going to come in here in a tomorrow or the next day,” Jesse said. “Paul, Mark, and I are going to wear long coats for the next few days. When they ride in, they're not going to know about Cole. They're going to think we are all accounted for, right there in front of them. That is going to give us an edge."

  What are the women supposed to do?" Sarah asked.

  "I got to get you out of harm's way,” Jesse said. “No matter which way this thing goes. You can't stay here”.

  Jesse thought about it for a minute.

  “I got it!” Jesse said. “You, Hattie and Lily are going to the shack for the next day or two."

  "Oh Lord! I hate that place," Hattie said.

  "What's the shack?" Sarah asked.

  Franklin and Jesse looked at each other.

  "The shack is halfway up the West Ridge,” Jesse said. “You may have seen it.”

  "You mean that old lopsided shed?" Sarah asked.

  "That's it,” Jesse said. “It's a great place to hide. I'll explain later. You go get some food together and we'll walk up there. I don't know when the Haskins will come back for sure, and I want you all safe. You shouldn't have to stay there for more than a day."

  "What about me?" Cole asked.

  "That's where this gets interesting, Cole,” Jesse said. “The Haskins are going to ride in here easy-like. I plan to meet them out front by the oak tree. They know they lost the element of surprise today. They were spotted up on the ridge. They'll try some small talk, and when they think they have the drop on us, they'll try to kill us."

  Jesse looked around the room at the group of glum faces.

  "I said they would try to kill us,” Jesse said. “Cole, you're going to spend the next day, out of sight, sitting at a shooting stand in the front bedroom window. I guarantee that's not something they will see coming."

  Cole started to smile. He saw where this was heading as Jesse continued.

  "I suspect Calvin will be the one doing all the talking,” Jesse said. “He always does. Cole, when I say a code word, you're going to blow his head off. Are we clear?"

  "What's the code?" Cole asked.

  "Blue truck," Jesse replied.

  Chapter 19

  Little Teddy came pounding into Eagle Rock. His horse was lathered and bleeding from the lashing during the hard ride. He slid to a stop outside the bar, jumped off and ran into the back area where his brothers sat at their usual places, cleaning their guns. Teddy was wide-eyed with fear, and breathing hard.

  "Jesus, what's wrong with you?" Calvin asked.

  "You look like you seen a ghost," Clarence said.

  "I just got the shit scared out of me, that's all!" Teddy said.

  "Calm down and tell us what happened," Calvin said.

  "I went out to spy on them people living out at the old Colter place. I was sitting nice as you please for about an hour. Saw everything. I started to creep a little closer, and all of a sudden, three of the biggest dogs you ever saw, come racing up the ridge, right for me. Man, I thought they had my ass. I ran like crazy, got my horse and rode fast as I could back here. I thought they got me for sure."

  Teddy was starting to get his composure back. He looked around.

  "Hey, where did you get the hooch?" Teddy asked.

  "Never mind that, tell us what you saw," Calvin said.

  "Not until you give me some of that, and tell me where you got it," Teddy said.

  Calvin poured some of the corn liquor into a jelly glass and handed it to Teddy.

  "Some old guy ca
me here first thing this morning. Lives out close by where Cassy used to live. Says he has a still out that way. He wants to give us free shine, if we agree to protect him and his family. Gives us a couple of bottles as a sample," Calvin continued.

  "Protect them from what?" Teddy asked.

  "Jesus!” Clarence yelled. “You dumb as a rock! Protect them from us, you asshole!"

  "You don't have to scream at me," Teddy said, his feelings hurt.

  "Stop yelling at each other, and Teddy, just tell us what you seen," Calvin said.

  Teddy gave the twins his most malicious grinning leer.

  "To start with, I seen the black on the porch. His wife must have been in the house. There was three other guys out by the porch too. They was all wearing long brown coats, but I think two of them were just boys," Teddy said. "And there was women."

  The twins leaned forward in their chairs, paying closer attention. Teddy took his time pouring a drink and took a slow sip. The twins waited patiently.

  "The one is real sweet. She's small and has these pretty little curls," Teddy said as he gazed at the ceiling in silence, with a demented look on his face.

  "You're killing me,” Clarence finally said. “Teddy, I swear to God, you're killing me."

  "Now Clarence,” Calvin said. “Let Teddy have a chance. Go on Teddy.”

  Teddy stared at Clarence and pouted.

  "Go ahead Teddy," Calvin said in a calm voice.

  "Well, there was this real pretty woman that jiggled a lot when she shook the rugs,” Teddy said.

  The Haskin twins looked at each other, and then back to little Teddy. Calvin knew Teddy was the high priest of back-shooters. He would concede to Teddy's area of expertise.

  "What you think we should do, Teddy?" Calvin asked.

  Teddy thought about it for few moments, taking slow sips out of his dirty glass of rotgut. The twins waited quietly.

  "The way I see it," Teddy said, "There's one man, two boys and a darkie. All we got to worry about is takin' out the man. Normally, I say we back-shoot him. But, I'm not going near those woods, not with them dogs roaming around up there. No way! I don’t want to tangle with them damn dogs.

  Teddy looked at his brothers to make sure they were with him.

  “So,” teddy continued. “Here’s what we do. We just ride in easy like. Start talking real pleasant about the weather or whatever. When Calvin thinks the time's right, we blast the man first, then the boys. As long as we kill the man first, this is going to be a walk in the park."

  Teddy took his knife out of its sheath and rubbed the edge of it with his thumb. A small red line appeared and blood ran down to his first knuckle.

  "Then I say we skin the darkie, and start in on the women," Teddy said.

  Calvin thought about it and couldn't find fault with Teddy's plan. He did want to change one little part. Once they were done with the people at the farm, it would be time to fix Teddy.

  "No sense waiting," Calvin said. "We ride out there tomorrow morning to pay our respects."

  The three Haskin brothers nodded at each other and drained their dirty glasses.

  ****

  Sarah and Hattie hurried around and gathered food into a large wicker basket. They grabbed blankets, some candles, and went back to the big house. Jesse, Paul, Mark and Franklin were waiting for them. All but Franklin were wearing long brown coats.

  "Where's Cole at?" Sarah asked.

  "Upstairs," Jesse said.

  Sarah put the basket down and walked up the stairs. As she entered the small bedroom, Cole lay on the bed with his eyes closed. "Cole, you awake?" Sarah asked.

  "Yes, Mrs. Colter," Cole said.

  "Cole, I wanted to thank you for coming with us to Haven and everything you've done for the family. You're a part of us now. And Cole, you know how much we all care about you."

  Cole got tears in his eyes.

  "Thank you," Cole said and rolled over so he faced the wall.

  "Cole? Cole, look at me," Sarah said.

  Cole rolled back and looked at Sarah.

  "You've got a man's job to do tomorrow,” Sarah said. “But you've been doing a man's job for some time now. I'm entrusting you with the lives of the men I love. I need you to do me one favor?"

  "Sure,” Cole said. “What favor, Mrs. Colter?"

  "Shoot straight," Sarah said, and smiled at him.

  "Don't worry, Mrs. Colter,” Cole said. “I'll take care of this family."

  "I know you will Cole," Sarah said.

  She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. Sarah came down the stairs and the rest of the group walked out of the house and headed across the fields at the waist of the valley. When they got close to the West Ridge, Jesse turned to Sarah.

  "What was that talk you had with Cole back there?" Jesse asked.

  "Oh, just a little pre-game pep talk," Sarah said.

  Sarah looked back at Hattie and Lily as they walked across the field. They were whispering back and forth like good friends. Behind them came Daisy and her row of puppies. Other than an occasional playful nip at the tail in front of them, the puppies maintained good order. They stopped at the bottom of the ridge. Above them, the shack that rested precariously on the steep ridge wall. They gathered in a group.

  "The guys stay here,” Jesse said. “Girls, follow me."

  He started up the steep rocky path leading to the cabin. Sarah, Hattie, Lilly, Daisy, and the puppies followed single file. When Jesse reached the cabin door, he stopped and waited for the women and dogs to join him. Sarah peeked through the door.

  "You seriously expect us to spend a night in this shack?" Sarah asked.

  "No," Jesse said. "Just follow me, and try not to touch anything."

  Jesse headed into the cabin. Sarah shrugged and followed him. Jessie walked to the far side of the room, and up to the cabinet against the far wall. He felt along the edge. His fingers touched a small piece of metal about the size of a three-penny nail. He lifted it.

  The cabinet swung forward into the room. The cabinet covered the mouth of a cave leading off into the dark opening. The air stirred, and blew steadily from the mouth of the cave. Jesse lit a kerosene lamp. He stooped over and disappeared into the cave. Everyone followed in single file.

  About fifty feet into the cave, it widened out into a large room. The light from his lantern played off the sides of the rock walls of the cave. The ceiling of the cave disappeared into the darkened heights. In the silence, Sarah could hear dripping water somewhere close, and rushing water in the distance.

  Jesse spoke, his voice echoing into the darkness beyond.

  "Nobody knows about this cave,” Jesse said. “You'll be safe here. Just make yourselves comfortable as you can. Down that path, about another thirty yards, is a small underground river with water to drink. Make sure you stay on the path. There are side passages that are dangerous. Are there any questions?"

  "Oh, a couple of hundred, I guess,” Sarah said. “Let's start with the obvious one. How did you know about this place?"

  "Most people think Haven got its name from the protected valley,” Jesse said. “But it really got its name during the Civil War because of this cave. General Bragg was in charge of keeping the Yankees out of southeastern Tennessee. He had a cavalry unit led by an officer named Morgan. They were called the Morgan Raiders. They operated out of this area even after the Union started pushing the rest of the army towards Atlanta. It was Morgan himself that named this valley Haven. They lived in these caves until they were called down to help defend Atlanta."

  "Okay," Sarah said. "Two more questions. Why do people from the south always know so much about the Civil War, and just how cold is it in here? I'm freezing."

  Jesse laughed. "The answer to the first question is because we don't think it's over. As for the temperature, it's always sixty degrees in here, but you all have blankets. You have enough food for a couple of days. Hattie should know where to find everything. By tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, this will all be over." />
  Jesse turned to leave.

  "Just a minute," Sarah said. "You don't think you're walking out of here without a goodbye do you?"

  Jesse and Sarah embraced and held each other for a few moments.

  "I love you, Jesse Colter."

  "I love you, Sarah Colter."

  Jesse turned and headed into the darkness towards the cave entrance.

  Chapter 20

  Jesse left the cave, re-entering the small dilapidated shack. He closed the cabinet with a snap. As he backed out of the shack, he picked up a piece of sheet metal lying discarded on the ground. He stepped back inside the door and swung the piece of sheet metal back and forth. Dust rose in a thick cloud and slowly settled to the floor. All trace of footprints disappeared.

  Jesse climbed back down the side of the ridge. When he reached Franklin and the boys, they saw his jaw set with a terrible resolve.

  "Let's go take care of some business," Jesse said, as he continued past them, across the valley.

  Franklin hurried to catch up with Jesse.

  "How'd it go with the women back there in the cave?” Franklin asked. “I bet they weren't too happy about being left there."

  Jesse thought for a minute before he replied.

  "Let me put it this way, not good."

  Franklin laughed. I’m looking forward to hearing Hattie's opinion of being locked in that cave, let me tell you."

  ****

  Jesse woke early the next morning and lay in bed, thinking about what lay ahead. Jesse knew, and accepted, the danger. He played it over in his mind. It was the unexpected that tripped you up, Jesse thought. I think I've covered all the bases. I just hope it's enough.

  Before they'd lost all light the previous evening, Jesse had gone upstairs to check on Cole and make sure he was ready. When Jesse sighted Cole's scope he'd noticed a blind spot. It was possible for a man on horse to advance up to the porch and out of Cole's sight.

  He'd yelled down for Franklin to saddle Abby, ride out under the oak tree, in front of the porch. He positioned the horse at the limit of the Cole's vision in all four directions. When Franklin reached each point, Jesse told Mark to draw a line in the dirt outside where the horse stood. When all positions were marked, Jesse went downstairs.