Rayne Comes to Town

by Dannie Marsden

  Chapter Six

  Rayne gently tugged the reins to the right and guided Samson toward a hitching post. After dismounting, and telling Lucifer to stay put, Rayne pushed through swinging doors leading inside the saloon. The chatter stopped and all eyes turned to her. Rayne could see the shock in some of the eyes. They challenged her right to enter their establishment while others were just looking to see who had come in. As she walked toward the long bar, she noticed some of the working girls flashing her big smiles, She returned the smiles. Once at the bar she took up a spot and immediately ordered a draft. The bartender pulled back on the tap, filled a glass of beer, and slid it down the bar to her before waiting on other customers. She took a long drink and felt the cold refreshing liquid flow down her throat.

  “God, that’s good,” she gasped

  “Sure does hit the spot, doesn’t it?” The man standing next to her on the right had silver gray hair and looked to be about sixty years old.

  Rayne grinned. It was far from normal for any man talk to her in a bar. Usually, if they did, it was to tell her to go home where she belonged. Thrown by the man’s comment, she looked around to see if he had been speaking to someone else.

  The man smiled at her. “Ain’t talkin’ to no one but you, stranger. Most around here are either too drunk to hold a conversation or just wanna take my money. So I don’t bother. You, on the other hand, just came in so you gotta be sober and ya appreciate a nice cool beer. It occurred to me that you might be good at conversation, so thought I’d agree with ya. Now, can ya converse or just stand there with that silly look on yer face?” The man took a swig of his beer.

  “I suppose I can converse, used to be able to, at any rate. Been a while since I was put on the spot though so I might be a mite rusty at it so don’t go holdin’ it against me, all right?”

  “Well, all righty then. I won’t hold that against ya at all, hell, only one I talk to most times is Scruffy my dog and well, he ain’t all that good at it. He mostly just wants his food. Ya know?”

  “Totally understand, old Lucifer is pert near the same way…course I talk to him and he looks at me like I gone and lost my mind. Not Apache though, he understands me.”

  “Now who is Apache?”

  “That would be the big bay that’s hitched out at a friend’s barn back home.”

  “Ah, okay, yeah. I use to talk to Apollo before I met my wife.” He laughed. “The funny thing is, she sort of took offense when I talked to the horse instead of her. Can you imagine that? So to keep peace in the house, I gave up telling all my secrets to old Apollo. I’m thinkin’ that he got brokenhearted ‘cause he was never quite the same after I got the missus.”

  “Oh, really? I suppose I can see where Apollo woulda got his feelin’s hurt.” Rayne gave the man a serious look but had amusement in her voice.

  “Let me get ya another beer. Jacob, get us two more, all right?” the man said. “I’m Martin by the way. Nice to meet ya,”

  “Nice to meet you too. I’m Rayne.” Rayne put her hand out to Martin.

  “So what brings you to Cherokee Falls?”

  “Well, I came to buy a few head of cattle from Joel Matters and Abel West.”

  “Oh, I hope you succeeded. They both have some mighty fine looking herds.”

  “I managed to get a few. They will drive them to my ranch by week’s end.” Rayne heard a touch of pride in her voice.

  “So, I take it since you’re having them driven to your place that you ain’t livin’ here in Cherokee Falls.”

  “Nope, I got me a small ranch over in Willow Springs that I inherited from my uncle.”

  “Hell, you ain’t kin to Luke and Martha Mathews are ya? Sorry about their passin’, they was damn good people.”

  “Wait. You knew my Aunt and Uncle? Did you see them often? Were you good friends?” Rayne asked.

  “Now hold on there, Sprout, let’s get us a table and I’ll tell you all you wanna know.” The man headed for a table with his, and Rayne’s, beer in hand.

  Rayne followed the man and sat down. “How did you know Uncle Luke?”

  “Well, Luke and me rode here from Boston way back when. See, he was my best friend and neither of us wanted to go into our family’s businesses. Now I ask ya, can you see Luke as a pompous preacher?”

  Rayne shook her head.

  “Nope, not me either. Hell, I couldn’t see me behind some counter sellin’ clothes to uppity people. So one day we just up and left. Figured on headin’ to Montana, but we stopped here for supplies. Old Luke met your Aunt Martha and swore he wasn’t leavin’, so I decided I’d stick around long enough to see him settled with Martha. Hell, wouldn’t ya know I got stuck for the winter and met my wife Sarah.”

  “Now that makes sense. Least now I understand why my father was always so.…”

  “Yeah, it would. Your pa, being the younger of the two, always dreamed of heading off and seekin’ his own fortune. He counted on your uncle being the one stuck following his daddy’s shoes…instead, it was him. Course it served the pompous ass right.”

  Martin shook his head. “Sorry, I know he’s your pa and al, but he was a jackass when I knew him and I’m sure he ain’t changed none.”

  “I...”

  “You ain’t spoke to your kin in a while, have you?”

  “No, sir, I haven’t. We kinda had a fallin’ out, you could say.”

  “I ain’t sure what happened, but your uncle did a get a letter telling him he should let ‘em all know if he heard from you and if ya ever showed up. Luke was to send word so they could come get ya. If I remember correctly, he told me that he had sent word for ‘em to go straight to hell. Said if you ran off it had to be cuz they done something really bad to ya.”

  “Can you remember who sent for me?” Rayne’s eyes widened. If I killed my father wouldn’t the law come after me?

  “It was a letter from your pa. Single page near as I recall. It really made Luke mad. Not sure what it was all about but I gotta figure it was bad cuz ain’t never seen Luke that mad before. Hell, he said after that he didn’t have a brother. Maybe one day you’ll feel comfortable enough with me to tell me what happened. I know you don’t know me from Adam, but I loved your uncle like he was my own kin and I sorta feel like I…I don’t know what I feel like. I owe it to him to watch out for you.”

  Rayne was at a loss as to what to say to that. Just as she was about to speak, the man began to speak again.

  “Hey, look, I’m sorry I made ya uncomfortable. I was just…hell, I don’t know. Luke was like my brother and you being his kin and all…damn I can’t believe how much you resemble him. I hadn’t noticed it before.”

  “Thank you.” Rayne blushed. “So, uh, Martin, when was the last time you saw my uncle?”

  “Oh, I suppose it was about a month or so before I heard about his passin’. Why you ask, youngun?”

  “Did he mention to you any problems he was having with the ranch or anything like that?”

  “Can’t say that I recall. You sticking around or heading back to Willow Springs tonight?”

  “I was thinkin’ I’d get me a room, stay over, and head back come first light,” Rayne answered.

  “Why don’t you come on home with me and have dinner with the missus and me. I’ll see what I can recall and maybe Sarah might remember something too.”

  “Your wife won’t mind at all?”

  “Nope. She will be thrilled that I brought Luke’s niece home.”

  “All right. Just let me get me a room first.” Rayne got up to head to the hotel.

  “Now hold on there, Sprout. Ain’t no way I’m lettin’ you take some room in town when I got a perfectly good room out at our place. ‘Sides, the wife would have a fit. So you might as well plan on stayin’ with me and the missus.”

  Martin pushed back his chair and stood. The decision was made.

  Chapter Seven

  Sprigs stormed into the bar madder than a bear with a thorn stuck in his paw. “Bring me a goddamn beer,�
�� he growled.

  The barkeep Hank quickly went about grabbing a mug and placing the drink in front of the red-faced man. Hank turned away and rushed off to the other side of the bar to wait on another customer.

  “Where the hell is that whore Fern?” Sprigs shouted.

  The mood of the saloon changed and Sprigs felt a sense of power. He saw some, not many, grinning, and he knew why. They knew what was in store for the whore once he took her upstairs. The rest seemed to cower and he snarled at them. He knew they disapproved of him but he didn’t care. A whore was a whore and he knew which one he wanted.

  “Who do you think you’re lookin’ at,” Sprigs growled. “Hell, most all of you use the women then go home to your wives. None of you would ever consider marrying a whore so don’t look at me in disapproval. You’re no better than me.”

  The saloon fell quiet.

  “Hank, where in the hell are you and why ain’t you answering me?” Sprigs bellowed.

  “Calm down, Sprigs. I’m right here and I heard ya the first damn time. Fern is upstairs, so either wait your turn or pick someone else. Looks like Elsie is free.”

  “Elsie. You gotta be kiddin’ me. Elsie sure as hell ain’t even close to something I want. She is mousy and skinny as shit and ain’t got anything for a man to grab on to.”

  “Then wait your damn turn.” Hank walked away to serve a cowboy at the end of the bar.

  Sprigs, annoyed at having to wait, muttered and spewed his dislike of the situation. He narrowed his eyes. “Now wait a damn minute here, I pay good money for.…”

  Hank was beside him with an angry glare before Sprigs could finish his sentence. “No, Jeremiah, you wait a damn minute. You pay for what you buy, good or not, and your money ain’t any better than anyone else’s here. Now, I suggest you either buy another drink, go play cards and relax or get the hell out of here.” Hank’s jaw was set firmly.

  Sprigs, who had been shocked that anyone would speak to him the way that bitch Mathews had a week ago, was even more shocked that Hank would speak to him the way he just had.

  What the hell is goin on, who the hell do these people think they are?

  He frowned, remembering the eyes he felt on him when he walked down the streets after that incident with the Mathews woman. He knew they were talking about how that woman dared to speak to him. He let the anger build in him and felt its power. No matter, they’ll be sorry, especially that bitch.

  “Fine, get me another beer and take it to my table and be sure to send Fern to me when she is done,” he grumbled. All things considered he knew that today wasn’t the day to start trouble.

  Hank looked at the man and turned on his heel. After he drew another beer, he handed it to a younger barkeep who delivered it to Sprigs’ table.

  After three more drinks, a woman showed up at Sprigs’ table with a ready smile on her lips as a hand slid over his shoulders. The soft, gentle fingers seemed to burn through the fabric of his shirt.

  “Heard you been waitin’ for me, handsome,” Fern purred in a low sexy voice.

  “Yup, what the hell took you so damn long?”

  “Aw, you ain’t the only man I see, baby.” She slid onto his lap and smiled at him.

  “Hmm, I’m the only one that counts though.” He stood, dumping Fern out of his lap. His hand gripped her arm tight as he made his way toward the stairs, pulling her along with him.

  Sprigs pulled her behind him toward the door of her room, which was in the far corner, right above the piano. Sprig realized, for the first time, that having this room meant no one would hear real screams. Sprigs was usually rough with Fern but he knew she didn’t mind. His mood was particularly foul this time, thanks to the Mathews bitch, and he noticed that she trembled when she saw the look in his eyes. When Sprigs threw her on the bed and ripped at her clothes he knew she was scared and she actually let out a small scream. He reveled in her fear even as he slapped her across the face.

  “Shut the hell up or you’ll be sorry,” he growled.

  An hour and a half later, Sprig walked down the stairs and went straight to the bar where he ordered a whiskey. He downed it in one gulp. He tossed enough money on the bar to cover his afternoon, walked out to his horse, mounted it, and headed home. His anger over Rayne Mathews was still coursing through him.

  “Goddamn bitch, wonder how she’d like a surprise visit in the middle of the night.” The corner of his upper lip curled. “I think I just might do that.”

  This decision made, the rest of his ride home, he was in a much better mood.

  The rest of the afternoon and evening flew by and soon Sprigs was back on his horse heading toward his neighbor’s spread. He waited for the bitch to settle in for the night. Not seeing any light coming from the house, he began his way to sneak inside to teach her some manners. As he approached the little house, he noticed that indeed the lights were out, but something didn’t feel right. It was too quiet, the air didn’t smell right.

  “Damn it, wish to hell there was some moon light.” As he crept around, he realized that no animals were in the stables and what he had missed was smelling the smoke from the fireplace. The house was empty.

  “Where the hell did she go? Goddamn it!” he shouted into the night.

  Chapter Eight

  Rayne enjoyed meeting her aunt and uncle’s best friends. She was pleased finally to get to know her relatives through someone who had actually had contact with them in their later years. Yes, she had received letters from them but that really wasn’t the same. She wanted to know the people they had become in the years after she had grown and stopped spending summers with them.

  She found Martin and Sarah to be kind, friendly, and eager to share their memories of her Aunt Martha and Uncle Luke. She realized, through talking to the couple, that she missed her aunt and uncle more than she had thought. When Rayne asked Martin again if her uncle had any trouble before he died, the look that passed through his eyes was one of worry and regret.

  “Yep, I do remember Luke mentioning some trouble the last time I seen him. Not that he went into detail, just that he’d noticed some tracks and some fences that had been messed with,” Martin told her.

  “Did he mention who he thought might be behind it?”

  “Nope. If he suspected anyone, he didn’t tell me.” He eyed Rayne. “Child, what are you thinkin’?”

  “Just…heck, I don’t know. From what the sheriff tells me, it was an accident of fate that took ‘em. I just can’t help but feel there was somethin’ else goin’ on too.”

  “Well, I think you should just leave it all alone and concentrate on the here and now,” Sarah said. “How about another piece of pie and some more coffee?”

  “Oh, no thank you, I am stuffed.” Rayne said with a smile. “Dinner was fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever had quail that tasted so good.”

  “Well thank you. Here, let me get that for you. Would you like to see your room? I’m sure you’re tired. Martin will talk your ear off all night if I’d let him.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I am plumb tuckered. I guess too much excitement today.” Rayne realized that her eyes were slowly drooping and that weariness was settling in her shoulders. She was indeed done in.

  Sarah showed Rayne to the guestroom and left her to relax.

  †

  “Do you think you did the right thing in telling her about Luke’s suspicions?” Sarah asked her husband later when she walked back into the kitchen.

  “The child has a right to know what she might be lookin’ at. I mean, hell, she could start havin’ the same troubles and a little warning might be helpful,” Martin answered.

  “Yes, but then again, she just might go lookin’ for that trouble. She seems to be too much like Luke and she even looks just like him. I’m worried about her,”

  “We’ll just have to keep an eye on her, honey.”

  “That’s a little hard to do when she is a day’s ride from here,” Sarah countered.

  “I’ll take a ride in an
d have a talk with the sheriff.”

  “Martin, the sheriff’s a busy man. He ain’t gonna have the time to keep an eye on her.”

  “I know that, woman. At least he can stop by now and then and check on her. Now relax, we’ll take care of that youngun, don’t you worry,” Martin said.

  Chapter Nine

  “Has anyone seen Fern?” Hank asked the young man who was behind the bar.

  “Not that I know of. Last I seen of her was when she went up with Sprigs. Ask one of the other girls, I’m sure they’ll know where she is.”

  “You’re sure a lot of goddamn help,” Hank muttered.

  After asking everyone, he headed upstairs to the room the woman used. After knocking several times and getting no response, he opened the door to find the woman lying on the bed in a pool of blood.

  He rushed over to the bed put his ear to her chest to listen for a heartbeat and found a very weak one. He ran out the door and to the head of the stairway where he stopped one of the women heading back down. “Run and get Doc Adams and then the sheriff.”

  Within minutes, the doctor arrived, soon followed by Sheriff Kennedy. The doctor looked Fern over and did what he could to make the woman comfortable.

  “Only time will tell whether she’ll pull through or not,” he told the sheriff

  “When was the last time you seen Fern, Hank?” Sheriff Kennedy asked.

  “Saw her go up with Sprigs and don’t recall seeing her after he had gone.” He shrugged. “Although I can’t swear to it.”

  After questioning Hank, Kennedy rode out to Sprigs’ place. Once he got there he went to the main house and found no one there. Deciding to take a walk over to the bunk house, he spoke with a couple of the Sprig’s cowboys and found out that Sprigs was in a foul mood when he rode out that morning and in a much better one when he returned. Most of the men said that as far as they knew Sprigs was up at the main house.