by Caryl McAdoo
“Yes, ma’am, and too much a gentleman to ask your age.” He stood. “Looks like we need a bit more firewood.”
“Still in my twenties, but barely.” She smiled—again! “If you could watch the fire a minute more, I’d like to take a little walk. Be back directly for that cup of coffee.”
“Yes, ma’am, of course. I can gather more wood later.” He watched her bending over and tying her shoes. Her feet seemed so small and dainty. Then he gazed after her as she walked away into the darkness, taking pleasure from her every step. He loved her smooth pace and the soft swing of her skirt. He liked that way better than those britches she’d been wearing.
No, sir, he wouldn’t mind making Susannah Baylor his own one bit, and gaining his little miss in the deal would be ace-high. All he had to do was convince Sue to forget that vow of hers.
* * *
SUE TIPTOED OFF, making sure she was well out of sight without going any farther into the woods than absolutely necessary. Gathering her skirt up, she searched the shadows for that bear and kept her ears keen for any sound of footfalls on the forest floor. Several pieces of good-size deadfall that she could handle lay near and, once finished with her morning routine, she picked them up.
She’d surprise Henry.
False dawn’s first light grayed the night sky as she made her way back to the camp. Becky would be so surprised, eggs and a cake! This day had to be better than yesterday, and Sue gleefully anticipated getting the wagon freed and back on the trace.
Even with the whole of yesterday lost, she and Henry were still at least two days ahead of the train. It shouldn’t be any problem beating them to Pleasant Mound. The moon still shone bright, and by the time she reached the fire, she was humming a tune. The words came to her, so she sang softly as she prepared biscuits and then got the cake batter ready for the Dutch oven once the biscuits finished baking.
“I know that my redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives. He lives, He lives, who once was dead. He lives, my ever-living Head.” Those were all the words she could remember, so she went back to humming.
Henry came back into camp. “Ready for that coffee now?” He grabbed a second cup. “You have a beautiful singing voice.”
She laughed and shook her head. “No, not me. Now my husband? He could belt out an amazing tenor. Thank goodness Becky took after him. And yes, I would love a cup. Got so busy mixing and making, I didn’t pour myself one. Thank you.”
Henry chuckled. “Yes, your daughter and I discussed music and singing. She gave me no peace until I sang so that she could be the judge of my abilities—or inabilities, as is the case.” He laughed a little harder and handed the filled cup to her.
She accepted it and took a cautious sip. His story tickled her even more because she knew her daughter so well. “My little angel can be powerful persistent.”
He gave her a look as though he knew that. “Like I said, she made me sing, but then begged me to stop.”
“She didn’t!”
“Oh, yes.”
Sue could not keep her composure a minute longer and burst out laughing. She held her coffee out to keep from spilling it and bent at the waist, holding her side with her other hand. She let it go, couldn’t help herself. “Oh, no!” She gasped for air. “Please tell me you’re making this up.”
He joined in laughing with her. “No, ma’am. Not one word of it. She was beating me on the chest begging me to stop.” His body heaved, and his shoulders shook. “Said I should stick to talking.” He spoke between spasms and looked like he’d almost bust a gut.
“What’s so funny?” Becky sat up on her pallet under the wagon.
Sue glanced at Henry, who was looking at her daughter, obviously trying to recover his breath. She spoke to give him more time. “Oh, I’m just so happy and excited about this day. It’s sure to be a good one.”
The little girl crawled out, ran to her, then hugged her neck. “I love it when you laugh, Mama.” She looked at Henry. “She doesn’t hardly ever laugh, you know. I mean she never thinks anything is funny.”
“Rebecca Ruth! That is not the truth.”
The little one made an incredulous face. “Is so.” She glanced at Henry, nodding her head as fast as she could. “It’s true, I swear. What’d you do to make her laugh so hard?”
He chuckled. “Oh, I suppose I hit her funny bone, and she hit mine back.”
“Well.” Becky put her hand on her hip. “I think this really is going to be a great day, like Mama said.”
“Um-hmm.” Sue picked up the makeshift hat-basket. “And see what we’re having for breakfast? Mister Henry found them.”
Her baby girl peeked inside, then ran and hugged his waist. “Oh, I love eggs. I’ve missed them since we’ve been on the trail.” She grinned up at him. “Where’d you get ’em?”
He stroked her hair. “Saw them in the moonlight. They were laying there shining almost as bright as a lamp, so they’re my surprise for today. And I didn’t even know how much you like ’em.”
“Yes, sir.” The need must have hit her. “Well, I’ve got to go. Beck’ll be back in a bit.” She ran off toward the woods giggling at her alliteration.
Sue watched her, then turned to Henry and held up the coffeepot. “That was a close one.”
He tossed his coffee’s cooled remains and extended his empty tin cup. “Sure wouldn’t want her to think I’d betrayed our private talk. She’s a mighty fine young lady.”
“Yes, sir, I agree. I’m so proud of her.” Sue filled his cup, then poured herself another one, too. About that time, Levi roused. “Morning, sleepyhead, want some coffee?”
“No, ma’am. Not unless Mister Henry’s willing to let go of some of his honey. I don’t know how y’all drink it black and bitter. I can stand it without milk, but not without something sweet.”
“Why, you Baylors would have both my honey jars empty by the time we get to Jefferson if I didn’t keep a tight hold on ’em.” Levi’s expression was priceless, but then Henry busted out laughing again. “Of course, you can have some, son. From what the ladies both say, it is going to be a great day.”
Levi grinned. “You had me going there for a minute.” He nodded.
Breakfast was a hit. The fellows and Becky had two eggs each, but Sue had only one to save two for her cake. Henry even suggested a spoon of honey for the biscuits since it was already out. Levi seemed as giddy as Becky over the announcement of cake for dessert after supper.
“I could sit here all day if we were having a picnic, but there’s work waiting, and we’re burning daylight.” Smiling at her, he stood.
Levi immediately rose as well. “What are we doing first?”
“Well, you men go on with whatever you need to do. As for me, I have a cake to bake.” Sue caught Henry’s eye. “Unless there’s something I can help with.”
“Baking that cake will do fine.” He tipped his hat and headed off with Levi at his side.
Sue’s heart was light and her spirits higher than they’d been since she left for the trading post in Sulphur Fork Monday morning. All was well in her world. Getting along in such a fine manner with Henry brightened her mood—much better than being at odds—and she’d thoroughly enjoyed the belly laugh they had shared. He was a good man and about to get her cotton back on the trace.
She could hardly wait.
* * *
IN NO TIME, Henry had everything in place; the stump sat right behind the stuck wheel, and he wedged the bois d’arc pole in under the wagon’s frame and on top of the oak. It stuck out a good ten feet. The boy held an assortment of wedges at the ready.
Henry jumped and threw all his weight onto it, then tried to bounce the pole down.
“That raised it maybe an inch, but not enough.”
Henry stepped back. Sue and Rebecca watched from the shore. “I need your help, ladies.”
“What can we do?”
“Wade out here. I need more weight.”
“Of course, but Levi weighs m
ore than both of us together. How about I take his place, he helps you, and Becky stays here?”
Henry would rather not have Sue anywhere near the wheel or even in the water, but getting unstuck was vital. “We can try that.” He pointed at Blue Dog. “You stay with Rebecca.”
After he’d tried every combination, Sue insisted he hitch the four healthy mules and attempt getting the wagon out using his bois d’arc pole to push rather than as a fulcrum. Nothing worked.
Finally, with more than enough of failure and tired of being soaked to the bone, he headed toward the shore. “Let’s think about this.”
Sue waded after him. “But what’s there to think about? We have got to get this wagon out of the creek. Not take breaks. I didn’t say anything at all yesterday when you wanted to quit early, but now . . .” She looked at the sun. “Why, it’s past noon already!”
He spun around. No woman had ever so pushed his patience. Harsh words danced on his tongue, but the pain in her eyes caused a pause. He swallowed and deliberately softened his tone. “I’m open to any ideas you may have.”
“Well, Mister Buckmeyer, I don’t know. Your fulcrum sure didn’t work.” She stepped out onto the bank and shivered. “We’ve already lost a full day yesterday. I guess for nothing since your bois d’arc plan went bust.”
For the longest time, no one said a word; even the normally chatty Rebecca fell silent. His heart hurt for the lady, but what else could he do except tell her it would get done when it got done? “Sue, we will get the wagon out, but it’s going to take more time than I thought.” He headed back into the water. “Come on, Levi.”
Once the beasts were hobbled and grazing again, he found Sue busy tossing leaves on the signal fire. “There is another option.”
She looked up. “What’s that?”
“I can light out for Cuthand; buy that yoke of oxen. I’d be back late tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “I hate the beasts.”
Of course she did, blamed them for her husband’s accident. She turned away and looked skyward, then directly turned back around and leaned in close. “And besides, I’d rather lose the cotton than spend twenty-four hours here without you.”
All right, maybe things were looking up after all. He liked hearing that his presence meant so much to her way better than her sounding as if she wanted to cut his throat.
“I mean—after the bear and the smoke signal to the Indians—I, uh—”
“I didn’t like the idea much myself.”
CHAPTER
TWELVE
THE UNANIMOUS DECISION to get serious about calling for help gave Sue new purpose. She assigned everyone something to do. Henry and Levi went into the forest time and again dragging out deadwood. Becky gathered twigs and kindling, having to go farther and farther away for it, but Sue didn’t worry. The incident with the bear had made a serious impression on her daughter, and she pretty much stayed in sight.
Besides, the dog watched over her. Oh, how very thankful she was that Henry had insisted on bringing him. Most definitely, she understood why Blue was the best dog he’d ever had and agreed with his high opinion of the canine.
On one of the trips out of the woods with deadfall, Henry dragged it to the fire and swung it on, then sidled up to her. “Got one more option. Thought about it this morning first thing, but didn’t want to bring it up.”
“What?” Her voice sounded short, though she didn’t want it to. She longed to be patient, but another day was swiftly passing, and her cotton remained stuck in the creek. She made herself smile. “What did you think of first thing?”
“I say we give this signal fire until morning. If no one shows, we’ll hook up the mules and start dumping the bales.”
“Into the creek?” She couldn’t believe her ears! “Are you crazy?”
“See why I didn’t want to mention it? But it may come to that if no help shows.”
Sue flounced her skirt and stormed off. This topped it all. Throw her cotton into the creek? What a plan! She might as well have sold the harvest for the two cents Littlejohn had offered. What could Henry possibly be thinking? She spun around and pointed her finger at him. “Absolutely not. We’ll all go back to Cuthand if that’s what it takes.”
“How are we going to do that?”
“We’ll take the other wagon back.”
“The one in the water is blocking the only safe crossing.”
She huffed and puffed and steamed inside. “Then we’ll ride the mules. Becky can ride double with me.”
“And you’d leave your cotton, and your wagon, and all my goods? Do you honestly think it would be here when we got back?” He shook his head. “Are your mules broke to ride? What about saddles?”
She held her chin, tapping two fingers across her lips. Mister Croaker had a negative answer for every idea she offered. Where were all his ideas? Oh, yes, throw her cotton into the creek! “There’s just got to be another way! We all worked too hard, planting and chopping and pickin’. This harvest is the best I’ve ever had, and you want me to dump it?”
Levi came out into the clearing. He hefted the log he carried onto its end. “Want this on the fire now?”
“By all means, throw it on!” She waved her arm, pointing to the log, which stood almost twice as tall as the boy. “Might as well call every savage in the territory!”
Her nephew stood there with his mouth gaping, then looked at Henry.
“What are you looking at him for? Throw it on! Call the Indians and anyone else who might see it before my employee dumps my cotton into the creek!”
Looking to Henry again, Levi shrugged as though apologizing for her. She wanted to slap him. How dare the little ingrate? He end-over-ended the log onto the fire.
It sent embers flying, and she turned away. “What about loading enough cotton onto a raft to keep it dry and lighten the load?”
Henry glanced at her nephew, then to her. “We can try. Liable to take a week.”
“A week? Why in the world do you think it will take a week?”
“Chopping down enough trees, lashing them together.”
“You and Levi can chop, Becky and I can lash. That wouldn’t take too long.”
“Building the raft and unloading those five-hundred-pound bales will take three or four days. Then it’d take that again to get the wagon reloaded.”
Becky strolled up carrying a pile of leaves. “What will?” She threw her load on the fire.
Levi faced his cousin. “The wagon will.”
“Will what?”
“Come out easy if it’s empty.”
“Oh well, how are we going to get the cotton off?”
“Never mind!” Levi looked to Sue. “What’s with all her questions?”
She glanced skyward, blew out a heavy sigh, then faced him. “Please don’t. I’m in no mood for bickering.”
“But she’s driving me crazy questioning everything!” He looked to Henry. “What do you think, sir?”
Sir? Sir! Oh, what a little manipulator. Conspiring with the hired help right there in front of her. She could hardly believe it.
“Oh, no you don’t. You’re not dragging me in.”
Well, what did she know? He’d actually stayed out of her business for once. Good. She glanced at the boy. Never did she intend to hurt him. His expression held something more, like Henry had sent him a hidden message and Levi had seen the light. She hated Henry Buckmeyer going and making secret deals with her children.
“Well, then, we’ve got a raft to build. Since it is well past dinnertime, I say we take a break, eat, then have some cake.”
He sighed. “Then we’ll get to cutting down this forest.”
Becky jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “Take a break and eat some cake! Take a break and eat some cake!”
Levi shook his head and swiped at his little sister-cousin. “Come on, Bitty Beck, let’s go wash up.”
* * *
DINNER CAME AND WENT, but Henry would remember that piece of
cake forever. She was right. Somehow here in the Sulphur River bottoms, he’d eaten the best cake ever. Shame she was so stubborn. Susannah Baylor was the hardest-headed lady he’d ever known.
In an odd way, though, he kind of liked that about her. He never could stand a wishy-washy woman. If Andrew Jackson was a female, he’d be Susannah Baylor. Smiling, Henry thought about it and decided it might be prudent not to mention that comparison to her. Could get his face slapped. Though to him it was a high compliment, she probably wouldn’t relish being compared to Old Hickory.
“I’m thinking cedar is the lightest and likely has the best buoyancy. Plus it’s a bit easier to cut and abundant.” He looked over at the boy. “If you concur, and if I remember right, there’s a nice stand pretty far in. What say we get to work?”
“Cedar’s fine by me, and I’m ready when you are. I’ll get the ax.” He went off to the wagon.
Henry appreciated the boy’s willingness to tackle the job. “Grab my canteen.”
“And is there anything you’d like Becky and me to do while you’re gone besides see to supper?”
“No, ma’am. Except keep the fire going.”
She put her hands on her hips as though he’d insulted her. “Anything else?”
“No, that’s all.”
He headed off into the woods with the boy in tow. A comfortable silence settled between him and Levi, broken only by the call of a hawk that pierced the air. The woods, though not too overgrown, provided enough shade that it seemed even cool. As Henry had figured, the first tree came down fast and easy. The second one took a little longer. By the fourth cedar, neither he nor the boy made the chips fly powerful fast or far.
“Here.” He tossed the canteen to Levi. “Let me take a turn.”
Levi passed the ax, then guzzled water. He caught his breath, then took another long drink. “You really think this raft idea is going to work?”
“Maybe, but after your aunt pitched such a fit, I wasn’t about to press the issue.” He spit on the ax blade. “Don’t know how many women you’ve been around, but Susannah Baylor is about the most hardheaded woman I’ve ever run across.”
