Ride The Wild Range

by Cheryl Pierson

  Chapter 12

  I'd gone on about my own way. If Jacobi Kane didn't need Will Green, then Will Green didn't need him, I reasoned. But in my heart, I knew better. Still, I headed out that next morning to Holland's Livery to check on ol' Blackie and Arrow, and to see about gettin' me a job.

  When I got back to the room a little while later, Doc was gone. I opened the door with my key and found Miss Laura standing beside the bed, almost in the very place she'd been when I left, earlier that morning.

  She smiled at me, and it was then I noticed Jacobi was awake and watching me too; taking careful note that I locked the door behind me.

  "Will," Miss Laura said, "I'm – we're glad you're back. I ordered us some breakfast. Should be here any time. I bet you're starving, aren't you? A growing boy like you—" She shook her head and made a little tsking noise, as if she was worried 'cause I hadn't eaten. Just then, my stomach growled. "Well, there you go," she finished. She came toward me and held out her hands for mine, which I gave her without thinking.

  Mama would've told me to wash up before she took my hand, but not Miss Laura. She squeezed it in reassurance, and gave me a wink. "How'd it go?" she whispered.

  I hadn't said where I was going but somehow, she knew. No point in trying to deceive her about it. And no reason to. The sooner it was out in the open, the better.

  "It went good. Mr. Holland hired me, an' I'll be startin' next week. A boy named Charles Banks works for Mr. Holland right now," I explained, "but on Monday, he won't be able to work – 'cept after school."

  Miss Laura nodded slowly. A light of understanding came into her eyes.

  "Well, no need for me to start school." I stood up tall and looked her in the eye. "Not now, anyway," I blustered. "I'm gonna have to make my own way in the world, Miss Laura. Can't do it in school."

  I threw a defiant glare toward Jacobi. He was watching me intently, and I felt ashamed of myself as his stare continued to bore into me, straight and steady. Finally, I looked down.

  "You did real fine, getting yourself a job, young man," Miss Laura said softly. There was a note of pride in her voice that laid a finger on my heart and warmed the chill that had taken root there. Right then, it puffed me up pretty good. I glanced at Jacobi again. He smiled at me, and nodded.

  "You did mighty good, Will." I thought he had something else to say, but just then, a knock sounded on the door, and a clerk brought in a little fancy cart with our breakfast on it, all covered up with silver lids.

  I remembered to wash up, and then Miss Laura handed me a plate piled up with biscuits and ham and gravy and potatoes, and I ate like there was no tomorrow. After what I'd gone through the past few days, I was learning not to take anything for granted.

  * * * * *

  A little while later, Miss Laura excused herself and left me and Jacobi alone. I had been dreading that moment, but I knew Jacobi was a believer in being straight with people and it seemed he had somethin' to say.

  He patted the bed in invitation, and I came forward. I had somethin' to say too. I looked into his eyes, his expectant face, and then I studied my boots. "I – I wanted to say...I'm sorry."

  He didn't answer for a few seconds, then finally drew a deep breath, letting it out very slowly.

  "I won't bite, Will. Sit down here on the bed. We've got some talking to do, I expect."

  I wanted to tell him I was my own man now, just like he wanted. I thought about letting him know I'd be making my own way in this big ol' world, and I didn't need him nor anyone else.

  But I hadn't quite gotten used to being solitary in the world yet. And when I thought on bein' all alone like that, it scared the fool out of me. Looking into Jacobi's face, I saw a kind of reflection of what I was thinking. Maybe you didn't ever get used to bein' alone – not after you knew what it was like to be a part of a family.

  So I sat on the bed and waited for him to speak. I'd already said everything I figured I ought to say.

  And it hurt me in my heart every time I thought about how we'd said things so harsh to each other. Though, for my part, I had probably said things a little madder than Jacobi had.

  "Listen, Will...I know you're angry right now, and hurt. But in time, you'll realize, it's not just me you're mad at – it's the situation; what happened to your ma, your pa...and – and to Lisbeth. You're mad Red Eagle's band ever showed up at your place, did what they did – and took you. And, someday, you'll understand you're mad because it forced you to be somebody you're not."

  When he said that, I knew something had changed him, too – made him somebody he hadn't been before. But I didn't ask him what, because if Mama had been alive she would have tanned my hide for bein' so dang rude.

  "I guess you're wondering how I know so much about it, aren't you, son?"

  I dropped my gaze, a big ol' knot in my throat at the kindness and understanding in his tone. He hesitated, as if he was having to be careful of his words. Like, maybe he had a knot in his throat too.

  "Three years ago, I – I had a place like yours. A cabin, a family... I came home one day from hunting to find it – all gone." He stopped and took a deep breath. "How old are you, Will?"

  "I'll be eleven next month. In August."

  A fleeting smile crossed Jacobi's features. "You're a little younger than my son, Dalton, would be now."

  His voice seemed to go far away, somewhere in the past.

  "He was born in April, but he'd be twelve now. And I had a daughter. A daughter named Rebecca. Becky was five when they came that day. They killed her and Dalt, then my wife, Deborah. Only, she was still alive when I rode in. They burned the cabin. She was lying in the front yard with the children. She held on to life long enough to tell me what happened. Long enough for me to promise her that I would find Red Eagle's bunch and kill them all." He stopped a moment, still lost in his memories. "I've been close so many times. This time I could've—" He broke off, and I felt his gaze on me.

  "You could've finished the job if it hadn't been for me."

  He gave me a crooked smile as I looked up. "Times are changing, Will. Now that Red Eagle's dead, the bunch that rides with him will most likely scatter. Go their separate ways. They followed him mostly out of fear."

  "At least we got him," I said, feeling the satisfaction rise up inside me. "Yeah," he said slowly, his eyes never leaving me. "We got him."

  It dawned on me then, he didn't look nearly as satisfied as I felt. I had

  taken that from him. By killing Red Eagle, I'd robbed him of it.

  "I killed him," I said slowly, "and you – couldn't. But, I had to—"

  "I know that." He waved a hand at me in dismissal. "I've thought on it the last three days, Will. It doesn't matter who killed him, son. Just that he's dead. I'm alive and he's not – because of you."

  I was quiet, thinking about what he'd told me. "I'm sorry...about your family."

  "I know. I wanted to tell you, so... maybe you could understand."

  "Jacobi?"

  He quirked a brow.

  "Does it mean...there's somethin' wrong with me because I don't – well, I don't want to be alone? You say you live in the world, but I—"

  He gave me a thoughtful look and I broke off, fearing I'd said too much.

  "You feel disloyal," he said slowly, "because you want what you had before."

  I nodded. "Red Eagle took it away, but doesn't that make him win if we don't take it back? Even if...maybe it can't ever be the same."

  He nodded. "You have a point." His eyelids were drooping, and I knew we'd talked long enough. But just before he went to sleep he asked, "Didn't you ever...want to go to school, Will?"

  I got up from where I sat and looked down at him. He'd slipped over, into sleep, just that quick. But I answered him, mainly because I knew he couldn't hear me.

  "Yes," I whispered. It made me sad to admit it, even to my own self. "Yes. I did."

  Chapter 13

  I noticed one thing. Miss Laura was spending more time checking on Jacobi
an' me than she was spending anywhere else. We'd been there three days, and Jacobi was able to get up and sit in the chair for small spaces of time – long enough for a couple of games of checkers.

  He began to teach me how to play poker and that was the best time of my life, so far. Just sitting there with Jacobi, and him teaching me what a full house meant, or when to fold and not lose everything I owned was important stuff to know. They were things my own papa never would've taught me.

  I'd started my job at the livery stable, and though I could've slept there, Miss Laura said I had to come back to the hotel. She had a mattress put in the floor for me. It was a lot better than sleeping in one of the stalls I'd cleaned out, but after my days with Red Eagle, I pretty much figured I could sleep anywhere, from now on.

  On the fourth day, I woke up, as always, to the sound of the hotel staff coming through the back door, which was near the room we were in. But there was somethin' else, too.

  Soft whispers from the bed where Jacobi slept, and a giggle that sounded just like Miss Laura's. I lay still, my eyes closed, and listened.

  More soft talk, quick breathing, and then, Miss Laura saying, "I have to go."

  I heard that loud and clear. I squinted my eyes and saw her stand up from the bed, pat her hair in place, then walk softly toward the door. She opened it and slipped out into the hallway, closing it behind her.

  I lay quiet a few more seconds, thinking about how contented Jacobi sounded right now, just breathing.

  I'd been content too, the sound sleep bringing me sweet dreams. My dreams were oddly comforting, centering around a road and a cabin. I could see pens that had been built for the livestock, and off in the distance, two men, one big and one smaller, working with a palomino stallion. Smoke curled from the chimney, and the scent of flowers mingled with a near-ready dinner in the air. And, though I knew that dream was as far out of reach as growing wings and flapping my way up to the moon, it was still a comfort to wake up bein' able to remember it.

  After a few minutes, I rolled over and yawned, then sat up. I began to pull on my clothes, and threw a glance out the window. It was a little past the time I liked to leave. I didn't want to be late.

  "Will, hold up a minute—"

  "I have to go too," I blurted, my face burning as I realized what I'd said.

  But Jacobi just laughed. "I wanted to tell you, today's your last day there at Holland's. Collect your pay when you leave."

  "But—"

  "You've got some money to keep you, now. I turned over Red Eagle's scalp yesterday when the marshal came by. Five hundred dollars, Will. That's a lot of money."

  Five hundred dollars!

  It was right then I began to come up with a plan.

  * * * * *

  Mr. Holland gave me my pay, grumbling about not being able to keep good help. When he asked me why I was quitting, I told him honest.

  "I killed Red Eagle and we brought in his scalp for the reward."

  He pulled out two silver dollars and thrust them at me with a hasty goodbye. As I was leaving, I heard him mutter, "Just like his pa." I smiled at that, remembering how I'd signed the guest book at the hotel. Then I ran all the way to the hotel for some supper and to put my plan into action.

  Miss Laura and Jacobi had just finished eating together and were talking when I came in. I had the feeling I had come in on a private talk and everything got awkward for a minute. But I went on and washed up, then sat down at the little table.

  Miss Laura set a big plate of roast beef with potatoes and carrots in front of me. I didn't say a word until I'd finished it up.

  "Hard day today?" Jacobi asked.

  "Yep. But tomorrow will be better."

  Jacobi and Miss Laura exchanged a glance across the table. "Why's that, Will?" Miss Laura always took a real interest in me. I wondered why she hadn't ever had a family of her own.

  "Tomorrow, I'm gonna take my money and buy myself a business down on Main Street."

  Jacobi drew himself straighter against the back of the chair. "What kind of business?"

  "The billiards parlor on the corner." I stood up and pulled the window curtain back. "You can see it from here."

  "Oh, Will—" Miss Laura started, but Jacobi laid a staying hand on her arm.

  "How do you expect to run this business? You're underage."

  "I thought of that." I drew a long breath. "I'm gonna hire me somebody to watch over it until I'm old enough to do it myself."

  "Like hell you are."

  Jacobi, who had been the picture of reason up to that point, was suddenly like a dog snarling over a bone. It was exactly the reaction I'd hoped for, and it was all I could do to keep from smiling.

  I looked at him in feigned shock. "You said it was my money!"

  "Well, it is! But not to – to waste on some fool scheme like that!"

  "It's not a fool scheme!"

  "Will, you need to put that money up and save it – or invest it somehow—"

  "I am. A business is an investment, just like a farm or a ranch or somethin'."

  "Well, what about a nice little farm instead?" Miss Laura could hardly wait to put that in, and she cast a quick look in Jacobi's direction, so's I knew a farm had already been bein' talked about before I ever came in.

  "Or a ranch," Jacobi said. "Either one of those would be better than a – a billiards parlor!"

  "Don't you like billiards?" I asked innocently.

  "Hell, yes!" he roared. "But it's not something I'd want for – for – you. You could do more, Will."

  I pretended to think, but my guts were churning. He was plenty mad, now. But there was a kind of pleading in his eyes that made me want to tell him I didn't mean to buy the place at all. Everything depended on my 'damn stubbornness,' as Papa had often called it.

  I looked down, afraid of his keen way of seeing into me. "I'd really rather have a farm or a ranch. But I couldn't do it alone. Have to hire someone for that, too – an' it's a lot more work. Work I can't do by myself."

  "But you'd have something you built yourself. Something to be proud of." Jacobi leaned forward in his excitement. "Will, there's a place outside of town – if you mean to stay here – that would be...a real good spot. It's got water, a fresh water well, and a spring nearby. It's close enough in toward town to be safe, and it's got the pens and corrals already built. Got a small cabin built already, but we could make it bigger—"

  "Oh, I know that place!" Miss Laura chimed in. She looked happy when she said it, almost like she was glad about the whole idea. "It's been up for sale a while now, since Mr. Adams passed away." She turned back to me again. "You could probably get it cheaper than the billiards parlor, Will. It's a lovely place."

  At that, she broke off and the smile faded from her face, like maybe she'd realized she'd gotten all carried away with helping me out too much. But I didn't mind, and I wanted to tell her so. Only one thing held me back; the way Jacobi was looking at her, like I'd seen Papa look at Mama sometimes.

  A lump came into my throat, remembering, and I didn't say anything at all. But I was thinking, the whole time. I was thinking about Mama and Papa, and what I'd said to Jacobi about wanting the things that had been taken from us. Not just from me, but from him, too – and for all I knew, from Miss Laura. Truth was, I didn't no more want that billiards parlor than I wanted a switching with a peach tree limb. Seein' how Miss Laura's face lit up, just talking about that vacant cabin, made me know for a fact what the best use of my money would be, for everyone. And Jacobi had slipped up. He'd said 'we' could make it bigger. That was the best part, so far.

  Looking at Jacobi's expression, it seemed he'd come to the same reckoning. He'd gone from surprise, to being thoughtful and quiet, and now he looked to just be accepting of how things were taking shape for all of us.

  "Laura," he said, and I could see she was almost holding her breath to hear what he would say to her. He sounded like he'd just discovered a pot of gold and wasn't sure it belonged to him yet.

  S
he reached over and took his hand, and in her eyes it looked like the morning sun had already risen.

  Just then, a knock sounded on the door. Miss Laura reluctantly let go of Jacobi's hand as he slowly stood up.

  "Who's there?" he called. He reached for his gunbelt and quickly strapped it on.

  "Marshal Eddington, Kane. I've got some questions for the boy."

  Jacobi shot me a glance, concern in his eyes. "Okay – one minute, Marshal."

  "I'll wait."

  Jacobi put his hand on my head. His fingers curved for a moment against my scalp. Everything he'd wanted to tell me and hadn't managed to say, I knew from that touch.

  Chapter 14

  In the next instant, he unbolted the door and swung it open.

  Marshal Eddington was a pompous jackass that I didn't like from the minute he walked into the room. He swaggered in like a little banty rooster. As soon as he saw Miss Laura sitting at the table with me, his eyes took on a look that made me think he disrespected her.

  "Miss Laura," he said in a tone that sounded like his eyes looked. "Didn't reckon to see you here this late of an evening."

  Well, I knew right then me and Marshal Eddington wasn't goin' to get on. Even though he said what he did all polite, there was a kind of undertone in his words that made me think of the green slick stuff that laid on top of stagnant water.

  "Marshal," she answered coolly. She didn't offer him any explanation, and her voice would've cast frost on the prairie grass easy enough.

  Eddington looked at me and gave me a smile that didn't mean anything. "Son, Mr. Kane tells me you saved his life, killin' ol' Red Eagle like you done."

  I nodded, but didn't speak.

  He gave a little laugh, like my silence made him uneasy somehow.

  "Well, you got yourself a re-ward now. Or did Mr. Kane, here, claim part of it for hisself?" He laughed again, then glanced at Jacobi before returning his gaze to me. "'Cause if he did, you need to tell me."

  Now, I knew I had to say something that was gonna make Jacobi plenty mad, and Miss Laura too. But I didn't care right then. I felt my heart pounding in my chest like a caged bird trying to get free. Blood rushed through my veins so loud and strong I could hear it. But I'd learned from Jacobi. I kept my voice calm and measured.