Chapter 3
Josie’s braid whipped around as she turned on her heels, her rifle ready, and her heart pounding. Whoever had shot at the three targets – and hit them all in quick succession – was an expert sharpshooter. No one could reload a rifle that quickly, so he must have had three weapons ready to fire.
Around her, children gasped in awe, and people murmured. Some even clapped. A man strode into the clearing with a familiar swagger, wearing an all-too-recognizable grin. A rifle was slung carelessly over his shoulder and he’d stuffed a pistol in his belt. Josie pressed her lips together and cursed under her breath.
Travis Wilder.
“What is he doing here?” she mumbled.
Josie glanced over her shoulder at Harley and frowned. She lowered her rifle and stepped toward her brother-in-law. It didn’t really matter why Travis was here. He’d probably been having a fit back home at the thought of her having been asked by Harley to go to Fort Hall instead of him. If it had been up to her, he could have gladly taken her place.
“If I’d have known you and Harley were gonna have this much fun at Fort Hall, I would have insisted on coming along.”
Travis stopped right in front of her, blocking her from reaching Harley’s side and forcing her to take a step back. He knew full well that she hated when someone stood so close to her. For years, he’d looked for every opportunity to get under her skin. That always included bragging about what a great marksman he was.
Travis was good with his weapons, but she’d outshot and out-tracked him before, much to his dismay. From the moment they’d met, he’d seemed to go out of his way to turn everything between them into a competition. How had he even known where to find Harley and her this time?
“Ada . . . Ada Blackburn?”
Josie’s attention went from her annoyance with Travis to glancing at Harley. She skirted around Travis to get closer to the old man. His voice was uncharacteristically feeble. He still stood rooted to the spot, staring at the elderly woman whose wide eyes looked from Harley to Anthony Hammond. The blond man stepped between his mother and Harley.
“Harley Buchanan, this is my mother, Ada Hammond.”
The look on his face as his eyes darted from Harley to his mother couldn’t be much different than the way Josie was staring at them. Harley looked as if he was going to be sick, and a noticeable shimmer appeared in the old woman’s eyes.
She seemed to recover first and smiled, holding out her hand.
“Harley Buchanan. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to ever see you again.”
Josie’s eyes widened. She even shot a hasty glance at Travis, who looked just as dumbstruck.
“Ada . . . I . . . I . . .”
For once, Harley seemed to be completely at a loss for words as he gripped the woman’s hand and continued to stare at her as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“The two of you know each other?” Anthony glanced with confusion from his mother to Harley.
Ada Hammond broke eye contact with Harley and smiled at her son, then looked at Josie. “Harley and I go way back. I almost didn’t recognize him, but I never forgot his name.”
Harley coughed. “Ya ain’t changed a bit in all them years, Ada.”
The woman laughed. “And neither have you, apparently. You still know how to sweet-talk a girl, don’t you?”
Next to Josie, Travis scoffed loudly. Josie narrowed her eyes and shot him a harsh look. He shrugged and continued to grin.
“Well, I suppose we should get back to camp and have some supper,” Anthony stammered. “The shooting match seems to be over, and neither Josie nor Harley is the victor.” He glanced at Travis with interest.
Travis stepped forward and held out his hand to Anthony. “Travis Wilder. I thought I’d give old Harley a hand. He’s a good shot, but if he challenged my little sister to a shooting match, the stakes must have been awfully high, so I wanted to make sure he came out ahead.”
Josie glared at him, and Travis winked. Her eyes narrowed and she silently called him every foul name that came to mind. By the satisfied look on his face, he knew exactly what she was thinking.
“What were you two shooting it out over, anyhow?” he asked casually.
“None of your business, Travis Wilder.”
Josie glanced at Harley once more, who still stood staring at Ada Hammond. No one had moved, so Josie took the first steps to head back to the wagons. If she’d had any sense, she’d hurry back to her own camp, but it would only give Travis new cause to call her a coward.
Feet shuffled behind her, but she didn’t look back to see if anyone was following her.
“That my mother and your grandfather know each other is as much a surprise to me as I’m sure it is to you.” Anthony Hammond had come up beside her, matching her quick strides.
Josie glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Harley Buchanan isn’t my grandfather by blood,” she said. “But I love him as if he were.”
“And Travis Wilder is your brother?”
“Brother-in-law. Harley raised him and his three brothers.” Josie stopped and faced Anthony. “You should ask him to scout for you. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to lead everyone east.”
Anthony studied her for a moment. He cocked his head and smiled. “That thought has already occurred to me. It seems you and your entire family are the answer to our prayers.”
Josie shook her head. “What do you mean?”
Anthony motioned for her to keep walking toward his wagon. He didn’t answer and seemed eager to reach his camp. He checked the pot hanging over the fire and stirred the contents. He wrapped a towel around his hand before lifting the handle off the flames and setting the pot on the table.
“Guess I’d better set another plate for Mr. Wilder.”
Josie glanced over her shoulder. Travis stood with Harley and Ada Hammond where they’d left them. He seemed to have succeeded in engaging Harley to talk again.
“I think it would be wonderful if you and Mr. Wilder could accompany us back to Independence,” Hammond continued. “I know all the families would feel very secure with both of you.”
Josie’s head snapped to where Anthony stood by the table. He was smiling at her, his eyes full of hope.
“I didn’t say I was going to come along,” she said.
Anthony frowned. “But I thought the shooting contest was a bet to see if you would go.”
Josie laughed. “There was no shooting contest. Neither Harley nor I fired off a single shot. Besides, Harley knew I’d win. It was his way of letting me decline your offer.”
Anthony moved toward her. “But why won’t you reconsider, Miss Josie?” He looked up and glanced toward some of the other wagons. “These women could use your help. They’ve lost husbands, brothers, and fathers. Many of them have been swindled by untrustworthy men. They only want to return home to the life they’ve known, and get back to their extended families to start their lives over. Can’t you understand that?”
Josie met the man’s pleading gaze. “I do understand that, Mr. Hammond. When my sisters and I came west, we were in much the same predicament.”
“Then what is your hesitation? My mother lost her husband of more than thirty years. She’s heartbroken and in need of female companionship, someone she can talk to.”
“She has all these other women to talk to,” Josie countered. Her heart went out to the women who had been through these hardships.
They had no one to rely on to get them safely back to their old home. When she and her sisters had been in a similar situation, they had been fortunate enough to have Nathaniel come along and offer them hope and protection.
In that regard, the Wilders were a rare breed among men. They were honorable and trustworthy. Well, all of them with the exception of perhaps Travis. He only cared about himself. She might even question if he was completely reliable to get these families back east safely. He was known to take unnecessary risks simply for the thrill of it.
Ev
en so, she was not the person to help these people. She was running from her fears, but it couldn’t be helped this time. It was out of the question for her to leave Harley’s Hole, along with everything that had become familiar to her, and return to where her worst nightmare had occurred.
“I’m very sorry, Mr. Hammond. I have my reasons why I can’t go on this journey.”
Josie turned away from him. She blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes. She was once again the weak and fearful young girl she’d been eight years ago. The thought of leaving what was comfortable and safe was too overwhelming, even if it branded her as a coward.
“At least give it some more thought,” Anthony prodded. He smiled. “And please, call me Anthony.”
To end the conversation, Josie faked a smile and nodded. She swiped at her eyes and blinked rapidly. The last thing she needed was for Harley to see her crying, or worse, Travis. There would be no end to his mocking and calling her a weak girl if he even suspected she’d been teary-eyed.
Thankfully, Anthony didn’t press her any further at that moment. He called to his mother and to Harley, who finally came into camp.
“Something smells mighty fine,” Travis remarked, sniffing the air.
Josie rolled her eyes. It was his roundabout attempt at getting an invitation to supper.
“We have plenty,” Anthony said. “You’re more than welcome to join us, Mr. Wilder. I’ve already set out another plate for you. Why don’t we all sit before it gets cold?”
Josie studied Harley as he pulled out a chair and sat. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone while Mrs. Hammond dished up the stew. The woman smiled, but it was clear she was also shaken up over this encounter as much as Harley.
“Why’d ya come all the way to Fort Hall, Travis? Is somethin’ the matter at home?”
Travis shoveled stew into his mouth and chewed before he looked up and met Harley’s stare. He grinned while he was still chewing.
“Thought I’d come and bring you some good news.”
“It couldn’t wait til me’n Josie got back? Shouldn’t ya be helpin’ Ethan and Nathaniel with the woodpiles or restockin’ the smokehouse with meat?”
Travis shot an accusing look at Josie, no doubt silently cursing her out for being picked to come to Fort Hall while he’d been expected to do the hunting and wood chopping at home. Finally, he turned his attention back to Harley.
“Have no fear, Harley. The chores are getting done at home. We have an extra pair of hands with all that.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Trevor’s back.”
Harley’s eyes widened, and a satisfied smile brightened his face. At least with the news of Trevor’s return, the color had come back into his cheeks.
“Decided he didn’t like scoutin’ for the army anymore, I s’pose,” Harley smirked.
“You can say that again, on account that he’s now married.” Travis spat out the words with disdain.
Harley held his fork in midair, his mouth gaping open. He stared at Travis, studying him and probably wondering if he was joking. Then he laughed triumphantly.
“Well, if that ain’t the best news I’ve heard in a while.” His eyes darted to Josie, then to Ada Hammond, where they lingered for a moment before his face sobered.
“Who’d he marry? It was bound to happen sooner or later. Is she nice? Someone who’ll fit in at Harley’s Hole?”
Josie’s eyes widened. Her head seemed to spin out of control with incomprehension at each question Harley fired at Travis. She still hadn’t gotten past the point that Trevor Wilder was married.
Her forehead scrunched. Who had he met and married on such short notice? He’d been at Harley’s Hole over the winter, and hadn’t mentioned having a sweetheart somewhere. Besides, she’d thought that Trevor was sweet on –
“Caroline.” Travis glared at Josie. “He’s married to your sister.”
Harley laughed. “This news is gettin’ better’n better. Glad ya came to bring it to us, Travis.” He, too, looked at Josie. “I s’pose we need to cut our visit to Fort Hall short ’n head home to congratulate ’em, and I’m sure ya wanna see Caroline.”
Josie glanced around the table. She forced herself to remain in her seat. If it hadn’t already been late in the day, she’d saddle her horse and ride home today. Caroline was finally home. After being gone for nearly five years, Josie was eager to see her sister. She blinked and shook her head. Caroline was married to Trevor.
“Guess that only leaves the two a ya,” Harley chortled.
Josie glared at him with wide eyes. If she’d been looking at Travis, there was no doubt she’d be seeing daggers in his eyes directed at Harley, as well. Harley laughed again. He waved his hand in front of him as if he were swatting away a fly.
“I weren’t implyin’ that ya’d marry each other,” he muttered.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” Travis huffed. “At least that’s something she and I see eye to eye on, and nothing’s going to be changing there.”
He stuffed more food into his mouth, then leaned forward to stare at Anthony Hammond. “What’s this I hear about you needing a guide? I’d be more than happy to take you and your group of families to Fort Laramie and beyond if you need me to. Been looking to get away from Harley’s Hole for a while now, and this might be just the right opportunity.”
Josie stopped listening. She stood and excused herself.
“Thank you for supper, Mrs. Hammond.”
The old woman smiled at her. She also stood and held out her hand. “I hope you might still change your mind, dear. When my Anthony told me he found a woman who could shoot better than any man, and that you might consider coming along with us as we head back to Independence, I was overjoyed. I would be delighted to have a woman lead our families back home.”
Josie returned the woman’s smile with unease. “I have obligations to my family, Mrs. Hammond.” It was the best excuse she could come up with.
A sad look passed over the woman’s eyes, but she nodded in understanding.
“Thank you again for supper.”
Without waiting for a reply, Josie left the wagon camp. Her head was pounding after a long day. Her heart was filled with joy that her sister was finally home. If she and Harley left Fort Hall before sunrise, they could be back to their valley in three days.
She headed for the camp she and Harley had set up earlier that morning, checked on the horses, and rummaged through her bags for a washcloth to clean her face. She was about to head to the creek when Harley marched into camp. Josie glanced at him, her heart pounding for some unknown reason. Her nerves were certainly on edge from all the talk of leaving Harley’s Hole, Caroline and Trevor being married, and the uncomfortable feeling of being around so many people all day.
“Travis is gonna take them folks back east.”
Josie nodded. “He’s been hoping for this kind of opportunity ever since Trevor left to scout for the army.”
Harley chuckled. “I’d trust Travis with my life, but ya know how impulsive he can be at times.”
His face sobered, and he stepped up to Josie. His hands reached up to encircle her arms, and he stared at her. He’d never looked so serious or weary before.
“I’m gonna ask ya fer the biggest favor I’ve ever asked of anyone, Josie.”
Chapter 4
“I don’t blame you for not wanting to leave this area, Miss Josie. This is beautiful country.”
Josie smiled at Anthony Hammond’s words. She’d ridden in silence for some time, soaking in the sounds of horses’ hooves hitting the ground at a soft and steady cadence, the wind rustling through the tall summer grass and nearby trees, and the gurgle of the stream they’d been following all day. A hawk lazily circled above them while a porcupine scurried in front of her path and lumbered toward the cover of the forest.
Her gaze lingered on the mountains that loomed before them, then she turned her head toward the man who’d brought his horse alongside hers. They would reach Harley’s Hole before sunset. If
she gave her horse its head and let it run, she’d be there much sooner, but Harley probably wouldn’t approve if she simply galloped off and left the rest of the wagons behind.
Five days ago, she’d reluctantly submitted to Harley’s request for a favor. He’d confided in her that evening, telling her a secret he’d clearly never shared with anyone, not even his four adopted sons.
“That’s why I’d like ya to reconsider goin’ along with these people, Josie. B’sides, I know it’ll give ya the confidence ya need to be around folks again.”
“I’m not qualified to be in charge of leading all those people for hundreds of miles, Harley. One family, maybe, but not so many. It’s not like Hammond is asking me to take him on a hunting expedition into the mountains. Many people’s lives are at stake. That’s a tremendous responsibility.”
“Ya won’t be the only one scoutin’ fer them folks, Josie. Like I said, a lot of the women without husbands’ll be glad to have a woman along that’s got a say. B’sides, Travis agreed to hire on, too. I know he can be a hothead, but he’s got the know-how and good sense.” He’d chuckled. “Despite what it might look like sometimes.”
Josie had finally relented, after tossing and turning in her bedroll all night. How could she refuse the man who’d done so much for her, especially after he’d bared his soul to her?
Although she’d still been unsure about her decision the following morning, the thing that had sealed it had been Travis. He’d come strutting into camp like a primped-up rooster just in time to snatch some bacon she’d been frying, and had smugly announced that he was going to lead the group of families back to Independence.
“No need to fret any longer, Josie, or have shooting competitions with Harley. I saved your hide once again by giving you an easy way to turn down Hammond’s offer. You can go back to hiding at Harley’s Hole. I’ll make sure these women and children get safely back to where they belong.”
All the Wilder brothers knew what had happened to her as a young girl and why she’d always been quiet and timid around other people. That had never stopped Travis from being a callous and arrogant clod. From the day she had arrived at Harley’s Hole and had been taken under Harley’s wing, Travis had only seen her as someone to goad and compete against.
Josie's Valor Page 3
