Land of My Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  When he arrived at the cabin, he had pretty much determined that the best way to leave would just be to do it. If he told Jerry of his plans, the man would probably shoot him. No, Trenton figured it’d be better to sleep off the exhaustion that threatened to leave him asleep in the saddle. In the morning, he’d gather his things and leave before the others awoke.

  He unloaded the supplies he’d stolen and then gave the horse a quick rubdown with the saddle blanket. It wasn’t much, but at this point it was all the energy Trenton had left to give. He noted Robbie and the Swede had already returned. Their horses were hobbled and grazing nearby.

  After seeing to his mount, Trenton hoisted up the goods and made his way to the house. An attitude of celebration was already underway when he stepped through the threshold.

  “And here’s the last of it!” Jerry declared as Trenton lowered the box to the table. “You boys did all right tonight. This stuff is going to come in handy. Too bad you didn’t take more.”

  “If we had, we would have needed a wagon,” Trenton said, plopping onto the rickety wooden chair. He felt it give a bit but gave it no mind.

  “Maybe that would be the answer,” Jerry said, inspecting the lot that Trent had brought. “We could always steal it and sell it elsewhere.” He pushed the box back. “But we can decide on that later. Right now we have plans to go over for tomorrow morning’s bank job.”

  “What are you talking about?” Trenton asked. “I didn’t hear anything about a bank job.”

  Jerry’s scarred face seemed to harden as he stared Trenton in the eye. “I run this gang and I don’t recall having to clear my plans with anyone. Especially not you.”

  Trenton knew the man would explode if nothing was done to defuse the situation. “I didn’t mean nothing by it, Jerry. I’m just worn clear through. I didn’t know we had other jobs to do.” Trenton fought to keep his posture relaxed so it would seem nonthreatening to the small man.

  “Well, see to it that you keep your mouth shut. Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.” He took out a piece of paper and spread it on the table. The other members of the gang took this as their cue to draw near. “We’ll hit the bank first thing in the morning—before the town is awake enough to know what’s going on.”

  Trenton exchanged a look with Robbie. His father was the president of the bank in question. Robbie shrugged. They both knew better than to say anything while Jerry was talking, but this was something that would endanger the life of Robbie’s father. Something had to be said. Looking for an opportunity to speak, Trenton was relieved when Jerry asked if there were any questions.

  “Why this bank? Why not one of the others? This bank is run by Robbie’s pa. I don’t want to see the man come to harm,” Trenton spoke, waiting the consequences.

  Jerry didn’t seem in the least bit upset. “I picked that bank because of Robbie’s pa. If Robbie tells us the secrets of the bank and keeps his pa under control, then there won’t be any problems. It’ll be a simpler job than trying to go into one of the other banks. Especially since we’ve got no time to study up and learn the layout of the other banks.”

  “But something could go wrong,” Trenton protested.

  Robbie seemed to find his tongue. “Yeah, I don’t know about this, Jerry.”

  “I don’t much care what either one of you think,” Jerry declared. “We’re doing this and you’ll help me with it or you’ll both be dead and so will Robbie’s pa. Understand?”

  Trenton swallowed hard and looked to Robbie. They’d really backed themselves into a corner this time. He slumped farther in the chair, hoping Jerry would take it as a sign of defeat. Maybe if they had the chance, he and Robbie could slip away in the night and warn Mr. Danssen about the robbery plan.

  “Rob, you need to tell me everything about that bank. I want you to draw me a picture of the doors and windows and everything inside. I want to know about the routine your pa has when opening the bank and who else might be there.”

  Robbie reluctantly took the piece of paper and pencil that Jerry held out to him. He looked to Trenton as if for permission, then lowered his head and began to draw. Trenton felt sorry for his friend. They both knew Jerry would make good on his threats. He’d as soon kill the both of them as have his authority questioned.

  Brooding over the matter as Robbie answered Jerry’s onslaught of questions, Trenton still figured they’d have a chance to slip away before dawn. He tried to set a plan in his mind, but he found himself dozing off as Jerry continued to work Robbie over.

  I never figured things to come to this, Trenton thought as his mind grew hazy. I only figured to show those Yankees a thing or two and then be done with it. I never wanted to see anyone get hurt… .

  CHAPTER 12

  THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE TIMES WHEN TRENTON WAS GLAD HE’D brought few personal belongings with him when he’d joined the Wilsons. Packing his saddlebags with his extra shirt and pants, he cautiously looked over his shoulder from time to time to make sure no one was watching.

  In about an hour they’d be heading for the bank. Trenton wanted nothing to go wrong. He’d managed to whisper his plan to Robbie, who’d nodded enthusiastically in agreement. If they had a chance, they’d head out before the rest of the gang and warn Robbie’s father. If even one of them could get away to alert him, it just might keep things from going horribly wrong in New Madrid.

  “I hope you aren’t gettin’ ideas about goin’ someplace,” Jerry Wilson said as he surprised Trenton.

  “I’m going to town with you,” Trenton answered, hoping he sounded casual about the whole thing.

  Jerry’s lip curled, giving him the appearance of a dog about to snarl. “You don’t need a change of clothes for that.”

  “You said we might not be able to get back here right away if a posse followed us.” He continued packing, hoping Jerry would think nothing of his actions. Trenton wanted to make sure Jerry didn’t think he was hiding anything from him.

  Jerry rubbed his chin, then spit tobacco on the floor. “I’ve got my eye on you, Chadwick. You don’t rub me the right way. If you and Robbie think about doing anything other than cooperatin’ with me, I’ll kill you where you stand.”

  “There’s no need to take that tone with me,” Trenton said, eyeing Jerry sternly. He felt a trembling run through his body but knew he needed to be firm in this matter. Jerry seemed to have a knack for sniffing out weakness in his adversaries, and Trenton knew there would be nothing but trouble if Jerry determined his feelings this time around. “You already said you’d do in Robbie’s pa if we didn’t stick to your plan.”

  The shorter man leaned forward in a menacing stance. “That’s right, I did. And don’t think it’s not the truth of the matter.” He spit again, then backed up. “You’d just better keep in my view the whole time or I swear I’ll march into that bank and put a bullet in the head of Robbie’s old man.”

  With that he turned and stomped across the worn wood floor. The sound echoed in Trenton’s ears. So what do I do now? He glanced at his watch. They would leave for the bank in less than forty-five minutes. If he and Robbie were to make a break for it, they’d have to go now.

  He grabbed his saddlebags and glanced toward the boarded-up window. He couldn’t very well sneak out that way. He’d have to march right through the front room and the whole lot of them if he were going to get to his horse. But what could he say to make a plausible excuse for going outside? Jerry was already keeping a close watch. There was no chance he’d allow for Trenton to go anywhere.

  I never should have come back here last night. I should have let them think I was captured. Then I could have just kept riding. He looked at the open door, knowing that if he made a run for it, they would gun him down in a matter of seconds. Then, without remorse, they’d probably kill Robbie as well.

  Sweat trickled down the back of his neck—the saddlebag felt like a lead weight. He moved toward the door, but when he came within inches of the threshold, he stopped again. He could hear Robbie arg
uing with someone—no doubt Jerry. Robbie hadn’t been at all happy about this arrangement, and who could blame him? Robbie and his father had had more than their share of arguments, but it didn’t mean Robbie wanted to see the man dead.

  “I don’t want to do this. There’s always a mess of Union soldiers at Pa’s bank anyway,” Robbie protested. “You go in there and we’re sure to be killed.”

  “Not if you’re with us. We’ll just mosey in there like we’re freshwashed boys bound for Sunday school.”

  Trenton would have laughed at that thought had the situation not been so serious. He remained in the doorway, knowing that if Jerry turned around he’d see him there. It didn’t really matter, Trenton figured. It wasn’t like anyone in the house had secrets for long. The walls were thin and no one respected the privacy of anyone else.

  “But if my pa gets hurt, my ma and sister won’t have anyone to take care of them.”

  “They’ll still have you,” Jerry said rather snidely.

  Robbie leaned forward and raised his fist. “No, they probably won’t, because if you hurt my pa, I’m going to hunt you down and kill you.”

  Trenton knew Jerry would never stand for a threat of any kind. Why, he’d seen the man knock his brother Sam unconscious for less than that.

  “Are we going to just stand around here arguing or are we going to get the horses saddled and ready to go? I don’t want to be waltzing into town at noon!” Trenton declared with false bravado.

  Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at Trenton, the tension and animosity suddenly focused on him. He gripped the saddlebags tighter with his left hand and rested his right hand on his hip. The feel of his gun gave him no comfort.

  “I’m gonna deal with both of you once this is over with,” Jerry said, narrowing his gaze. He motioned his younger brother to the door. “Get out there and saddle the horses. You keep an eye on Chadwick here and make sure he doesn’t step out of line. Robbie will stay with me.”

  Sam pulled on his hat and headed for the door. It was one of the first times Trenton had ever seen him do anything without an argument.

  “Come on, Chadwick,” he muttered.

  Trenton was torn. He hated leaving Robbie at Jerry’s mercy, but he didn’t know how else to handle the situation. The Swede watched him ominously. He’d been sharpening his knife and paused with the weapon in midstroke. Meanwhile, Mark Wiley slowly got to his feet and picked up his own saddlebag. From the way he slung the pack, Trenton could tell it was empty.

  “You scared of an old banker, Chadwick?” he questioned as he came toward Trenton.

  Trenton was barely conscious of fingering the grip of his gun. He frowned at Wiley but said nothing. The man might be Trenton’s junior, but experience made him old and dangerous. Where Jerry was conniving and loved to argue, Mark was hot-tempered and held nothing sacred—not even life. Especially not life.

  “Come on, Chadwick. I’ll make sure you’re safe,” Wiley said, then laughed as though he’d just told the funniest joke. His laughter rang in Trenton’s ears. Realizing he had no choice, Trenton nodded toward Robbie and Jerry and headed out behind Wiley.

  The Wilson gang rode together as they headed toward New Madrid. Jerry had concocted a plan for them to each ride in from different directions so that no one would be suspicious. On the outskirts of town they all went their separate ways except for Robbie. Jerry kept Robbie close by his side, leaving Trenton with a feeling that something was bound to go wrong.

  As Trenton made his way up the center of town, he nodded here and there to the shopkeepers he knew. His father had been well respected in the community—at least until he appeared to side with the Yankees.

  Mr. Daniels stood leaning on his broom outside his small produce store as Trenton rode by. He waved enthusiastically. “Hey there, Trenton. Come by for a game of checkers,” he called out. “You can give me all the news.”

  “I’ll try to do that later on,” Trenton said, knowing there was no possible way he’d be able to follow through on his statement. The old man nodded, then went back to his sweeping.

  Down the street, Trenton could see Jerry and Robbie approaching the bank. The smaller man’s dark brown gelding snorted nervously in the morning warmth. It was almost as if the animal knew what his master was about to attempt. Trenton drew his own mount to a halt and stepped down.

  He watched as Sam tied his sorrel to a hitching post across the street from the bank. The man nodded to his brother, who in turn dismounted and tossed his reins to Robbie. It looked like Jerry planned for Robbie to wait outside. Trenton couldn’t help but wonder what had brought on this change of plans.

  “Mr. Chadwick!”

  Trenton looked up to find Captain Seager coming from across the street. The dark blue uniform was a startling reminder of the events of the past twenty-four hours.

  Swallowing hard, Trenton replied, “Good morning, Captain.”

  Seager shook his head. “Not so good, son. We had a bit of trouble last night at one of the supply houses.” Trenton stiffened and waited for the man to continue. All the while he tried to watch beyond Seager to see what was happening at the bank.

  “But that’s not why I’ve stopped you. I wondered how your mother and family were doing. Have you heard anything from them?”

  Trenton shook his head. “No. But then, I haven’t really expected to. We didn’t exactly part on the best of terms.”

  Seager nodded. “This war has made it difficult for most families. I’m sure your mother worries that you’ll meet with harm once you join up.”

  Trenton pulled his gaze from the bank and looked to Seager. “Join up?”

  “Well, that’s the real reason you remained behind, is it not?”

  Trenton didn’t know how to reply. He could hardly tell the man he’d stayed in New Madrid to wreak havoc upon the Union Army. “Well, I can’t really tell you why I stayed. I didn’t feel the West calling to me, I can tell you that much. Ma had her heart set on moving in with her brother, and I just didn’t feel the same.”

  Seager eyed him sternly. “Perhaps that’s because deep inside you knew your country needed you more than your family did. You come by later today and we’ll talk about getting you signed up.”

  Trenton’s anger resurfaced as if newly born. “Why would I ever do that? The Union killed my Pa just as sure as they kill Confederates.”

  “Son, your father was killed in an accident—no one knows whose bullet took his life. For sure, no one on the Union side wanted to see him dead. He was a good man. I was sorry to see him die.”

  “Not as sorry as my little sisters or my mother,” Trenton replied, his hands balled into fists.

  “Now look, Chadwick—” Gunshots rang out. Trenton and Seager turned to see Robbie jump from the back of his horse and run toward the bank.

  Seager immediately pulled his own pistol. “Stay here,” he ordered.

  Trenton gripped the handle of his revolver. His feet felt like they’d been nailed to the boardwalk as he watched the scene unfold in slow motion. There were more gunshots and then silence. Seager crossed the street and reached Jerry’s horse just as he emerged from the bank with Sam in tow. Both men had handkerchiefs tied across their faces, concealing their identity. Sam’s shirt revealed blood trailing down the sleeve.

  “Halt!” Seager demanded.

  Trenton mounted his horse, still not knowing what to do. He wanted to be there to help Robbie in case the gunshots meant that his father had met with harm. At the same time, he’d never been more afraid in his life. I’m not a coward, he told himself. So stop acting like one, his conscience seemed to argue back. He’d just turned his horse toward the fracas, however, when Seager called out again.

  “Drop your weapons and put down those bags!”

  Trenton reined back and watched as Jerry raised his pistol and shot Seager before the older man could react. The shot hit him square in the chest. Seager dropped his gun and clutched his coat as if to hold himself upright. W
ithout waiting another second, Jerry fired a second shot, then jumped on his horse and sped off down the street. Sam followed suit, pausing only long enough to fire his own bullet into Seager. He was not to be outdone by his brother, after all.

  Trenton saw people emerge from the stores and it was only another moment before a patrol of soldiers came rushing toward him. I have to leave. I have to get out of here before they think I had something to do with this.

  But he did have something to do with it. And there were Robbie and his father to consider. Trenton knew he should go to his friend, but he couldn’t seem to manage movement of any kind. The horse pranced in a sidestepping manner as the soldiers rushed by. Someone emerged from the bank and declared they’d been robbed and that Andrew Danssen had been shot.

  Trenton thought he might very well be sick again. He gathered his wits and directed his horse down a side street. What do I do? He walked the horse in circles around the back streets. How do I just leave Robbie there alone?

  The reasonable thing to do would be just to leave. Ride out of New Madrid and never return. Never face Jerry and Sam again. Never have to break the law in order to stay alive. But Trenton wasn’t thinking clearly, and reasonable reflection didn’t seem possible. Robbie might have escaped town and returned to the cabin to avenge his father. It was the kind of thing he could imagine his friend doing in the heat of the moment. The very thought of it caused Trenton’s blood to run cold. Robbie wouldn’t stand a chance against Jerry or any of the others.

  He’ll need my help.

  Before he could stop himself, Trenton had urged the horse back in the direction of the river hideout. Maybe between the two of them, Trenton and Robbie would be able to stand up to the rest of the gang.

  Maybe then they could leave once and for all.

  Jerry was tearing into the bags of Union gold when Trenton came through the door. Trenton’s presence didn’t even cause a stir. The Swede was on guard duty down the road, and if anyone approached who wasn’t supposed to be in the area, the Swede would take care of business.