Always, Stone

by Nan O'Berry

  The Captain looked to Levi.

  “I’ll send Jonas right away,” Levi said. “If you’ll look to my wife and help her?”

  “Of course,” Anselm answered.

  While the other riders sat on their bunks reading or working on gear, Stone stood bent over the map spread across the table in the bunkhouse.

  “Find anything interesting?” Brett asked as he slid another box of ammunition into his coat pocket.

  With a shake of his head, Stone pushed away from the table and crossed his arms over his chest. “I keep going over the route, hoping…”

  Brett crossed to stand beside him.

  Stone pointed at the curve on the map next to a triangle marked Butte Rock. “If you cut across there, you’ll run right into their sacred burial ground.”

  “No place I’d like to be.”

  “No,” Stone agreed.

  “Hey, look at this?” one of the riders called out.

  Men sprang off their bunks and moved to the window. Stone and Brett followed. From behind the safety of the window, they observed Captain Merrick and his men carry a man from Pierson’s freight office. Behind them, Mr. Hawkins escorted his wife as they all made their way toward the Hawkins home.

  “What do ya’ make of that?” Jonas queried.

  “Not quite sure,” Stone answered.

  A few men went back to their bunks leaving Stone, Brett, and Jonas a clearer view.

  “Mr. Hawkins is coming this way,” Brett pointed out as the manager of the Three River’s station left his wife to lead the way to the front door.

  Stone stepped over and opened the door for Levi.

  A look of surprise spread across his features. Then, seeing Brett and the others clustered around the window, he understood. “Jonas, saddle up. I need you to ride for the doctor at Fort Valor.”

  The young lad glanced at the window as if trying to figure out why.

  “Come now, no time to waste. Mrs. Hawkins is in a hurry.”

  “Yes, sir.” With one glance at Brett and Stone, Jonas grabbed his coat hanging on the edge of his bunk and slid his arms into the sleeves as he grabbed his hat from the peg by the door.

  Neither Stone nor the others said a word.

  Levi glanced at Stone. “Come to the house.” His gaze shifted to Brett. “Both of you.”

  Stone’s brow arched. He glanced at his friend. Both men reached for their coats and followed Levi over to the house.

  Inside, things were in a state of uproar. Mrs. Hawkins seemed fit to be tied. Standing in the middle of her kitchen, her apron stained with blood, giving orders as if she were a commanding general while Captain Merrick and his men quietly did her biding. “I want that table removed from the hallway and placed in the small room next to the pantry. Anna?"

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “I want some water on to boil and a jar of the chicken stock from shelf. I should use a fresh chicken, but I am in no mood for plucking.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Anna turned and caught Brett’s eye. “I would have thought murder would make her feel better,” she muttered under her breath.

  Both Stone and Brett couldn’t hide the chuckle until Olivia’s sharp glare turned it into a clearing of throats.

  “Boys, don’t stand there. You can lend a hand. Open the door for the Captain.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Stone moved toward the door and held it open as wide as possible so the men could move through.

  “Mr. Hawkins, I’m in need of a new apron. Brett, get some firewood. I want that room warm. He will not catch a chill while here.”

  “Yes, mother.” Levi grabbed a fresh apron from the hook.

  Brett sprang into action and hurried out the back door.

  “That man.” She fumed snatching at the ties that held the apron around her waist. “That man makes the devil look like a saint.”

  The snap of her words made each man in attendance wince.

  Yanking the apron from her body, she tossed it onto a nearby chair. “My hands are shaking so.”

  “Sh, my dear.” Levi held the apron out to her. “Slip this over your head and I will tie it in the back.”

  She did as told and turned so he could finish it up for her.

  Merrick and his men grunted as they tried to move the table through the narrow opening.

  “Careful! That table came all the way from Virginia.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Hawkins,” they answered in unison.

  “Be gentle lads, gentle,” Merrick coaxed.

  “There’s something wrong over at the freight office,” she continued.

  “Why do you say that?” Levi asked.

  “I can feel it. The looks.The glances. Something is afoot I tell you, sir.”

  “I will keep an eye out, Mother. But let’s not talk about this in front of the children.”

  Olivia gazed over at her daughter. “Yes, yes, you’re right.” Apron in place, she smoothed the cotton across her clothing and moved toward the stove. “I shall put on a pot of coffee.” She glanced at her husband. “I feel you men will have something to talk about.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Brett moved past Levi heading toward the small room off the kitchen were riders surrendered themselves to her care when ill.

  “Anna, we shall need clean bedding,” she instructed.

  “I will go get it.” Hurrying out the room, Anna headed to the linen closet to pull fresh sheets and blankets.

  Olivia then took her anger out on carrots and onions for her broth.

  The men made Whitney comfortable. “Sorry for all this trouble,” Whitney murmured. His ashen face nearly matched the color of the white muslin sheet.

  “Hush now, you lie still,” Levi replied. “You are going to be okay. Anna, you sit with our guest.”

  “Yes, poppa.”

  Whitney nodded as Anna pulled up a chair.

  “Brett?’ Levi spoke.

  “Sir,” the rider turned to look over his shoulder.

  “When you have completed your task, join us in the office.” Looking to Captain Merrick and Stone, Levi gave a nod. “If you will follow me?”

  Leaving his men to enjoy a cup of coffee at the Hawkins table, he led the men down the hall to his office. “Come in and sit down.”

  Stone and the captain entered and took a seat before his desk.

  Levi closed the door and joined them. “I’m afraid I can’t offer you any brandy, Captain Merrick.”

  The man sitting across from Stone lifted his hand. “I am not in the mood for it, if the truth be told.”

  “I understand.” Levi nodded and took a seat. Picking up the arrow that sat on his desk, he glanced at Stone. “This look familiar to you?”

  Stone reached across the desk and took the arrow. Sliding his hands along the shaft, he detected no knots or blemish that might derail its flight. The flash of red feathers at the end caught his attention. He’d seen those feathers before. “Can’t say I’ve seen an arrow as well made as this, but the feathers.” He brushed his finger across them. “I’ve seen something similar.”

  Levi’s brow arched.

  Captain Merrick brought his right hand to his chin and stared at the weapon Stone held in his hand.

  “A few days ago,” Levi began. “I sent Stone and Brett to Fort Valor with a message from Washington.”

  Curiosity peaked as Captain Merrick sat forward.

  “Do we know what’s in the message?”

  “Not sure,” Stone replied. “There’s a new commander at the fort, a Major Arnold.”

  Merrick sat back and brought both hands to his face. Thumbs and pads of his fingers touching, to Stone it reminded him of a pyramid. “I had heard that.”

  The pinnacle of his hands leaned back against his lips. “What did you see?”

  Stone swallowed and glanced over at Levi.

  “Go on, Stone.”

  “We got there and had to wait for the Major to finish a meeting.”

  “Who was he meeting wit
h?”

  Stone’s glance flickered once more toward Levi. “A couple of Indians from the reservation were there. They were discussing problems. Someone said there were cattle missing. The major had the ranchers there too. They were trying to iron out all the issues. The Indians were angry over supplies not being delivered.”

  Merrick nodded “Did you recognize the Indians?”

  Stone glance fell once again to the arrow. “Yeah, I did.”

  He glanced over to the captain.

  “And?” Merrick pressed him.

  “Chief Running Deer.”

  “Anyone else?”

  Stone took a deep breath. “Swift Eagle and Coyote.”

  Merrick sat up straighter. “That’s quite a trio.”

  A soft knock signaled Brett was at the door.

  “A moment.” Levi disentangled his legs from under the desk and hurried to the door.

  “Mr. Hawkins.”

  “Come in.”He opened the door wider for Brett to enter.

  “Evening, Captain.”

  Merrick nodded. “Evening.”

  Levi moved back to his desk. “Gentlemen, what we are about to discuss goes no further than this room. Is that understood?”

  Stone watched as each expression turned serious. Levi’s blunt gaze belied the severity of the information. All heads agreed with a nod.

  Levi relaxed and turned to the young rider who joined them. “Brett, Stone was telling us about your trip to the fort.”

  Stone caught the surprised look in Brett’s eyes. “I was telling the Captain about seeing Running Deer, Swift Eagle, and Coyote.”

  Brett’s took a breath, his expression serious. “I have to admit the hairs on the back of my head stood up.”

  Stone nodded. “I would have expected Running Deer to keep the other two in check. But it wasn’t the look in their eyes.”

  Merrick’s head titled as he studied him brushing the feathers on the end of the arrow with his finger. “What look would you call it?”

  Brett lifted the left corner of his mouth and nodded to Stone.

  “I’d call it leading a good man to slaughter.”

  The room became silent.

  “Do you know why they were there?”

  Stone shook his head. “The Major didn’t say and no one else seemed to know. We gave him the letter, which he opened and read.”

  Merrick interrupted. “Did he give any signal to what it contained?

  Stone glanced to Levi. “No.”

  “We know that it was from the Bureau of Indian Affairs,” Levi explained. “And important enough that two riders were sent and told not to give it to anyone but the Major.”

  “Interesting,” Merrick agreed. “Now, the attack on Pierson’s wagon.” He sat back. “It seems we are in a delicate situation.”

  “Indeed,” Levi added his agreement. “Tell me Stone, what do you make of the arrow?”

  Stone paused and stared at the combination of feathers. “Feathers are a way of identifying the craftsman.” He glanced at Merrick. “I suspect you know that.”

  The Captain gave a slight incline of his head.

  Stone took a moment to gaze one more time at the arrow. “At the fort, there were three Indian ponies tied across the parade ground as they came out. One pony had feathers tied in his mane.”

  “Same pattern?” Merrick questioned.

  “Same pattern,” Stone replied.

  “We need to know what’s going on.”

  Stone followed the Captain’s comment with a rough chuckle. “You’re a smart man. It’s easy to figure out. The army has made promises it’s not able to keep. You take a proud nation away from their native lands. You tell them they can’t hunt as they have done for generations. You promise to give them food.”

  “But you don’t carry through,” Merrick finished.

  “Exactly.”

  “Look,” Levi interjected. “If you send a scout or anyone else into the territory, and if Coyote or Swift Eagle has been made chief, the chance of them returning alive is next to none.”

  “Gentlemen, any suggestions?” Merrick asked. “Levi, you’ve got stations in harm’s way.”

  “The only thing I can think to do is warn them and bring them in should hostilities escalate.”

  “You want me to ride out?” Brett asked.

  Levi shook his head. “No. Ransom will be coming in for the party, as well as Wyeth.”

  “And Clay?” Stone inquired.

  “Ranching,” Levi replied.

  “Surely, you’re going to let them know?” Brett came to his feet. “They are the closest to the reservation.”

  Levi took a breath. “I believe Mrs. Hawkins has a basket for Emma. Stone, perhaps you can ride out.”

  “Sure.”

  “Brett, you have a run to make. I suggest you arm yourself. It won’t be an easy run. Let’s look at the map.”

  The men gathered around.

  “If I may make a suggestion,” Merrick began. “There is an old trail that runs down through the foothills to the south.” He pointed at the map. “It hugs the river. I don’t think it’s been used in years.”

  “Will it add more time?”

  “No, not as fast as your riders go,” Merrick concluded. “The scrub along the banks might be a good cover; Coyote and Swift Eagle will not be expecting you to use it. If they are behind the attack, they will be expecting you to follow the regular trail.”

  Brett nodded. “It would buy us time.”

  “It might just do that,” Stone pointed out.

  “Then I better take the best horse,” Brett concluded.

  Chapter 8

  The next day, Stone checked the cinch on the mount Brett chose.

  Sensing the upcoming run, the bay shifted on his feet.

  “Easy,” Stone whispered close to the horse’s head and paused to place a hand on the animal’s neck.

  “I see he’s ready to run.”

  Stone turned to see Brett standing in the doorway, the mocha over his shoulder. “Kind of wished you hadn’t drawn Tempest.”

  Brett looked at the slim bay, his coat shinning with perspiration from the nervous anticipation of his run. “He may be a handful, but he’s got speed. I’m going to need that taking that old trail.”

  Stone nodded. “Just be sure to tackle that high passage in the daylight.”

  “Right.”

  Stone pulled one last time on the cinch. “Ready?”

  “I guess.”

  Stone stepped to the horse’s head.

  Brett tossed the mail pouch over the saddle.

  Stone waited as his friend tugged it into place. “Nervous?”

  Brett looked down at the stirrup before turning to meet Stone’s gaze. “I’d be a fool if I wasn’t.” He shoved a riffle into the scabbard. “Just a little extra weight.”

  Stone grinned.

  With the horse between them, they walked out into the weak morning sunlight. A brisk breeze stirred the dust along the street.

  Ahead of them, Levi Hawkins stood, his back to them, as he gazed up the street.

  The door to the house opened and a figure rushed from inside. Anna Hawkins carried a small bag as she moved down the front stairs toward Brett. “Oh good, you haven’t left yet.”Her words sounded rushed and out of breath as she skidded to a stop.

  Brett’s hand shot out and grabbed her shoulders to keep her from toppling over. “Hang on there, Little Bit, you can’t go running at Tempest. That horse don’t know if you’re friend or foe.”

  Anna paused to brush a piece of hair from her face. “I – Momma made you a sandwich.” She thrust the brown paper wrapped square toward him. “It’s last night’s roast,” she added.

  Brett took it and pretended to marvel at it. “I was kind of hoping for piece of fried chicken.”

  Her expression seemed to fall. “I can go back.” She reached out. “I think there might be something left.”

  Brett pulled the sandwich back out of her reach. “Don’t you
go being an injun giver, Little Bit. I think I’ll like this just fine.” He slid the sandwich inside his shirt for safe keeping. “Did you make the bread?”

  Anna beamed. “I did.”

  Brett looked to Stone. “I sure hope that don’t put me over my weight limit.”

  Stone ducked his head, knowing there would be a reaction from her.

  Anna’s eyes widened. She blinked as his words settled in, only then did her anger show. “Brett, you take that back.” She took a swipe at his shoulder.

  Laughter erupted.

  Brett grabbed her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You take care of Whitney for us and save a dance for me.”

  Anna nodded.

  “All right. Rider up,” Levi called as he slipped his pocket watch into his vest. Making his way over to them, he stood by his daughter.

  Brett vaulted into his saddle.

  Stone handed him the reins and stepped back.

  “See you on Saturday!” Brett cried as he sank his spurs into Tempest’s sides and the horse leapt forward. “I’m looking forward to that dance and don’t step on my toes.”

  “Oh, hush,” Anna shouted back.

  They watched until his image grew faint.

  Anna clasped her hands together so tight, her knuckles turned white.

  Levi placed an arm around his daughter’s shoulder. “There, there, daughter, he’ll be all right. Go help your mother with our guest.”

  She gave one last forlorn look in Brett’s direction then turned toward the house.

  Stone waited until she filed inside. “You think he’s gonna be okay?”

  Levi crossed his arms over his chest and took a deep breath. “I can only hope.” He shifted his gaze to Stone. “It wouldn’t hurt to say an extra prayer for the next couple of nights.”

  Stone arched his brow, but nodded his agreement. “How’s Whitney?”

  “Resting a bit more comfortably this morning. However, Olivia is still concerned with his fever. I know she’ll rest better once the doctor has his look see.

  “I bet. At least, he has Anna to keep him company.”

  “Perhaps.” Levi seemed rather amused by the idea.

  “Is something wrong?” Stone asked.