by Rita Hestand
“I guess I was a little tired,” she admitted. “You got to admit, we rode those horses to near death before we got there.”
“More than a little, I'd say.” But after a short silence, he asked, “So, did anything happen in town?”
“No…of course not. Not on my end, at least, how about you?” she said too quickly.
“We had a little excitement when the saloon caught on fire, but other than that, no, I guess not.”
“Saloon caught on fire? How did that happen?” Jodi frowned.
“Someone hit the chandelier. That's about all it took,” he laughed.
“I'm glad you found some more men,” she said, her voice lowering.
“You know, one of these days, we need to sit down and have a little talk,” Hunt insisted, handing her his plate.
“About…?”
“A lot of things. Come on Jodi, we are married, and yet, we are still strangers in a lot of ways.” He winked.
“Maybe it’s best left that way.” She smiled shyly up at him.
“Is that how you want it?” he asked, sternly this time, waiting for a reaction.
“That's how I want it,” she insisted, moving totally away from him. He stood staring for a long moment. He wasn't sure that's how he wanted it.
≈≈≈
It was three days later when they reached the Red. There were two herds going over as they approached. There were three behind them. It seemed as though the land was filled with longhorns. As far as the eye could see, longhorns. Like a big, long carpet of brown.
Hunt went up and down the river for several hours, talking to the other bosses and scouting the banks.
“The river is up, just like I figured. But it looks as though we might be here a few days. So let's bed them down to the south end, keep them tight. Willy, when we start across with the herd, we'll lead off with the oxen, then half the horses. The other half can follow behind to help run the herd through. We'll form a long line of two to three cows at a time, take them slow. It'll be your job, Willy, to see it's done. Jose, you'll be in charge of the chuck wagon getting across. Matt and Josh, you come up the rear as quick as you can. There is also quicksand to worry about, and I don't want anyone getting bogged down. If it happens, stop what you're doing and get those cattle across the river. Don't let them mill. Anyone have any trouble, yell. It'll take a couple days, but we can manage it. If we pull together, we can do this without a mishap and that's what I aim to do. In the meantime, bed them down and let's camp and rest up. We're going to need it.”
Jodi was nowhere to be found. Hunt looked about, but didn't see her. Josh came up the embankment and pointed. “I think she's at the river. She…well, she's airing the paunch, boss.”
Hunt stared at Josh a moment, unaware he was frowning.
He wasted no time in hunting her up; he went down the embankment and found Jodi there with her face almost in the water. Her shoulders were hunched and she looked very pale. “You want to tell me what's going on?”
“Nope,” she replied in a half breath. Her face was dripping wet.
“I'm not blind, Jodi. And I am your husband. I'm responsible for you. So tell me…what's going on with you?”
“You figure it out,” she shouted, and stalked out of the water.
“When are you due?” he said in a very low voice as she passed him.
She came back to where he stood. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. I said, when are you due?”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, her face red and tears threatening to fall.
“You are with child. I've had a suspicion for quite a while, but I'm pretty sure I'm right now. When is the baby due? Let's don't play games, Jodi.” His voice held no room for nonsense.
“I just ate something that didn't agree with me, that's all,” she muttered miserably.
“I don't think so. You've been doing this for some time now. You can't hide it, you know. I guess it isn't really my business, but you’re my responsibility.” Hunt tired to be tactful.
“You're so right; it's not your business.” She walked off. “And I release you from your…responsibilities.”
Hunt followed. “That's where you are wrong. Anyone sick on this drive is my business. And you obviously are sick. Now how you got that way is none of my business. But the fact that you are in a delicate way certainly is.”
“Quit saying that,” she rasped, facing him again and looking about to see if anyone heard.
His gaze went over her thoroughly. “You'll ride in the chuck wagon from now on.”
With that, he stalked away.
Jodi cringed. He knew! She ran back to the river and stayed there so no one would know she was crying. She didn't know what to do now. As long as no one knew, she had been safe. Now, the worst had happened. Hunt knew.
It was late when she made her way to the chuck wagon. She had waited until most everyone had either bedded down for the night, or had gone back to the herd. She didn't see Hunt that night or the next few nights. He kept away from her, purposely.
But the tension inside her was coming to a head. She needed to get away from here, far away. How was she going to continue on with Hunt asking questions and delving into her life? And more importantly, how was she going to rid herself of this child now?
CHAPTER TWENTY
Unfortunately, the herds in front of them began mixing and one trail boss seemed upset that they would lose time cutting out their herd from another. There were words, and two of them went at it with the guns. One of the bosses was killed. The men tried to stop it, but to no avail.
The trail boss that survived managed to cull his cattle quickly and got his herd moved.
Now there was the problem of an extra herd with no trail boss. Hunt felt it necessary to step in and offer to help. “Who's your straw boss?”
“I am,” one of the men answered. “We were bringing a herd through for Miller and Co. We are running behind as it is. Now I don't know what we'll do.” The man sounded as though all was lost.
“Sure you do. You'll take it over, get them through,” Hunt said boldly, as though they should have known that.
“Through Indian Territory? Are you crazy? I can't do that. I can't take them through there.”
“Look, my herd’s going the same route, but I'd rather not get them mixed up with yours. I'm right behind you, all the way. I'll help you get them through, but you got to do as I say, understood?” Hunt frowned as he looked around the entire camp. Some of the men seemed to be listening.
“You'd be willin' to help me get them through Indian Territory?” the man asked.
“Only if you do as I say.” Hunt eyed him steadily. “One deviation and I'm out of here.”
“All right then. I guess we got ourselves a herd to move, boys. Let's get them across the river,” the man declared.
“One other thing. I run a tight herd. There will be no more gun play from here on out. First person who doesn't listen to this advice will get his gun taken away from him. You're grown men and guns aren't toys. We don't fight the Indians unless they attack us. We keep the herd calm and grazing as we go. We go it slow and easy. The weather will be enough to contend with from here on out. Understood?”
“Yes sir, boss,” the men replied with happy faces.
Most of this crew was a young bunch, eager, but with not enough of the take charge attitudes. Right now, they seemed motivated and able to obey a command. Hunt would keep a sharp eye on them.
Jodi heard from her own men what Hunt had done and approached him. She couldn't believe he'd committed himself to another herd. “Are you crazy? We can't help them. We got our own to worry about.”
“I'm not herding them; I'm just helping them through it. They got plenty of men and they are not greenhorns. The only thing we have to worry about is whether they will keep their guns holstered,” Hunt said.
“Yeah, and that's a big maybe,” she snapped with her own assumption.
“Look, they lost t
heir boss. They learned what happens, they'll listen.” He boldly met her gaze.
“Sometimes a man can get too sure of himself,” she responded sharply.
“Let's don't borrow trouble. We got enough headaches to worry about.” He stalked off from her as though she'd bitten him.
≈≈≈
When it came time to move their herd, Hunt waited for Willy to start the oxen. The oxen had no trouble swimming the river; they didn't even balk. Hunt smiled. That had been smooth. His confidence grew. The horses were next and none of them balked either. They swam it with little trouble, even though the waves and wind were intolerable that day. Hunt waited for the sun to hit high before they crossed the cattle. But the cattle tried to mill at first, then a couple got bogged down in quicksand. It took three men to dig them out. Once they were free, they rushed to the other side like the Devil himself was after them.
The men had stripped down to their Union suits and tied their clothes on the saddle horns.
Then, Joe started across with his horse, and his horse wouldn't budge.
Willy came up to him. “Sprinkle some water on his head.”
Joe did as Willy said and the horse bolted and swam.
The water was muddy and the cattle were starting to snort it out and balk. If Hunt didn't get the upper hand, the cattle would tighten up and be nothing but a jumble of drowning animals.
Again, Joe had trouble getting his horse to go all the way to the other side, so Willy came up behind slowly, grabbed the horse's tail and yanked. The horse kicked out into the water and began to cross; but midstream, he seemed to lose his hold. About to drown, and Joe with him, Willy came up, grabbed the reins and stuck a burr under the saddle. The horse kicked and got a better footing. He high tailed it to the other side as though lightning had hit him. Joe could barely stay atop him.
Willy laughed at the chaotic site that unfolded, then followed.
They didn't lose a single steer in the river thanks to the men's tireless work. Hunt smiled to himself and thanked God that he had found a first-rate crew. They'd never know how many prayers he’d said in hopes of a good trip up the trail. But that was private, for Hunt was a private kind of man. He'd even said a little prayer for Jodi in hopes she'd come to trust him enough to let him help her.
Jodi worried him. He hadn't counted on this kind of problem. Taking it to God was about the last thing he could do.
There were fresh gravesites along the river for others who hadn't been so lucky, and each of the men seemed to pause a second before they moved on. Jodi and Jose were on ahead with the wagon.
But now that the river was behind them for a while, Hunt had to concentrate on the trail ahead because they were now in Indian Territory.
Everything seemed to change once the Red was crossed. The prairie was dead, as though spring hadn't yet touched it here. The land was flatter, and there was much less vegetation.
But it was country that cows enjoyed because the grass was plentiful, and they grazed as they moved.
It didn't take long to run into the Indians either. Every reservation had a sign posted, Wa-ha, one dollar. It meant the Indians expected to get paid one cow per crossing over their Territory. Hunt reasoned that was cheap enough. One cow for peace of mind. It was well worth it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Every creek and river had been swollen by the rains that constantly seemed to follow them through. It was more than a little tiresome. The men were bone tired, but they didn't complain. It was cowboy work, and they were in their element. They swam each one, taking their time to herd the cattle into small sections of two or three rows, and led with the oxen each time. Each time the oxen took to the water, no matter the problems. Winds, rains, strong currents, it didn't seem to matter. The oxen were unafraid of the waters. However, several groups of cattle became tender-footed, and those were the cattle that Hunt saved for the Indians.
The water supply was less dependable along the Indian Territory. Too much gyp water made the drovers about half sick, and certainly didn't help Jodi any. She seemed affected early on.
Hunt decided it might be time to stop off at a ranch or farm on the way and pick up some good water for the men and Jodi. He sent her ahead to see if she could find a place.
Jodi drove the wagon, veering off the trail only slightly. About mid day, she came upon a simple farmhouse that stood in the distance. A barn was to the side of the house and a corral. Chickens scurried about as she approached the yard. But she wasn't welcomed. The farmer's wife had a rifle pointed at her the minute she came on to the property.
Jodi eyed the gun, and the woman, but kept on riding toward her. When she was within shouting distance, she stopped and hollered, “Hey there, just stopped by for some decent water, if you could spare some.”
“You smell of cows. What do you want with my water? There are plenty of creeks to water with,” the old woman said, not lowering the gun. She adjusted her flop hat, and frowned as she aimed the gun at Jodi.
“It's all gyp water. We thought maybe we could fill our barrel up somewhere close by and go on. We wouldn't be stopping or anything. Just getting some water, is all.”
“Ain't got no water for cow people. You people move on off my land now. I got a full crop of corn and cotton, and I sure don't need no cows stompin' them down. Just git.”
“But…”
“You hard of hearing or somethin'?” The woman aimed the gun steadily.
“Ma'am, I wasn't going to mention this, but I'm with child and I can't drink that gyp water any longer. It makes me sick.”
The woman lowered the gun for a second, thinking about what Jodi had said. “You don't look like you're with child.” She hesitated.
“Four months.”
“Been sick, have you?” the woman asked, a little concern edging her voice.
“Almost every day,” Jodie replied with a shrug.
“Then you can take some water, but just enough for yourself and your men folks,” the woman warned, still holding the gun.
“I'm obliged.” Jodi smiled as she dismounted, and untied the water barrel from the wagon.
“Don't like bein' impolite, but I don't want your cows on my land…understand?” the woman warned again, moving to help Jodi lift the barrel and move it to the well, the rifle dangling from one arm.
“I sure do. We’ll be moving right along.” Jodi smiled.
Finally assured that Jodi meant no real harm, she put the rifle down next to the well and helped her draw the water and empty it into the barrel.
As though something just occurred to her, the old woman brushed her gray hair from her face and smoothed her dress as she asked, “What's a woman doing on a cattle drive in your condition?”
“I'm with my husband.” Jodi wanted to reassure the woman that she was telling the truth and that she meant no harm to her or her land. “We're moving a herd to Abilene.”
“Where you from?”
“Esser Crossing, in Texas,” Jodi said as she continued to draw the water.
About that time, a shot rang out and knocked the bucket out of Jodi's hand.
“Put your gun away, Herman. It's a lady and she's in a way. We have to help her. She ain't stayin'.” The old woman explained to the younger man who came running up to the well. He wore overalls and a flop hat and his rifle was still aimed at her.
“That's a chuck wagon, Ma, and they got cattle,” the young man replied, frowning at Jodi as though she'd stolen something valuable from him.
“I knowed it, but this woman is with child. I cain't turn her away. We ain't that kind of people, Herman. She only wants a little water so she don't get so sick. She'll be movin' on,” the old woman said.
The young man eyed Jodi carefully, his frown fading somewhat. “You know what them cattle people do to farms, Ma. They stomped out our crop of corn before the war and we nearly starved that winter, is what…”
“Our cattle are miles down the trail from here, but we won't be moving on your land. We're taking the tr
ail to Abilene. I wouldn't have stopped, but the water is just undrinkable,” Jodi explained.
“I don't trust her, Ma. What's a woman in her way doin' on a cattle drive anyway?” Herman seemed determined to get rid of her now.
Jodi eyed the old woman a moment and then she smiled. “I tell you what. Since you are nice enough to see after me, I'd be obliged if you'd accept a couple of cows for payment.”
“We don't need…”
“Hush up, Herman. That would be right nice of you. I accept, and you'll excuse my ill-mannered son. He's only doin' what he thinks is right. Even if it ain't. You bring them cows by here as you pass on the trail and we'll call it a bargain.” She chuckled.
“Thank you, ma'am.” Jodi smiled and nodded. “Tomorrow noon, I'll bring them by myself.”
When Jodi returned to the herd and told Hunt, he couldn't believe it. “I'll take the cows myself, Jodi. I don't want you getting shot up over water.”
“I'd rather do that myself. I mean, they didn't trust me. What do you think they would think of you? No. I made the bargain, and the old woman was happy about it.”
Hunt frowned. “All right, but I don't like it. Cut out two fat ones and take them to her. If you aren't back by mid afternoon, I'll come after you.”
“Fair enough. I don't think they'll be asking me to dinner,” Jodi laughed. “I'm a little surprised at how hostile a farmer can get, though.”
Hunt nodded assurance. “Well, I can understand their reluctance. Cattle can destroy a crop, and fast, but the idea is not to let them. You point out the way and we'll stay away from that area. How far off the trail is the farm?”
“Must be about five or six miles.”
“Good. Did you get the water?” he asked.
“Yeah, a barrel full.” She smiled.
He winked at her and left.
≈≈≈
Hunt watched her closely after that, wondering if she would ever trust him enough to tell him what had happened on her own. He wanted to help her, but right now, he wasn't sure just how to do that. At least he had given her a name; she could raise the babe with no trouble. He was proud of that. And a part of him wanted to be a part of her and the babe. It didn't matter that it wasn't his child; it was part of her and that was enough. But that was like dreaming, he knew. For Jodi didn't want him.
