"Jimmy helped carry my goods and children from the store in town one day, a year ago. He comes every week to our home after church. That boy, he never misses services.”
"He goes to your church?"
Mrs. Cuesta laughed, barely heard above the squeals. "He goes to every church.”
Rebekah laid the tortilla in the sizzling oil. It was the last one before the family settled at the table.
Mr. Cuesta prayed in Spanish, blessing the food before the table erupted in chatter again. Jimmy did a lot of grinning which Rebekah found amusing. She learned he could hardly speak a word of Spanish.
The Cuestas tried to direct some of the conversation in English but it was a difficult language for them. Rebekah wasn't as fluent in Spanish as she wished she were, and found herself smiling along with Jimmy when she couldn’t grasp the words flying around. Mr. Cuesta finally rapped his knuckles on the plank table.
He cleared his throat and said in English, “We will let the guests speak. Doctor, tell us why you would go to New Mexico Territory?”
Rebekah decided to answer in English to include Jimmy in the conversation. "I am going to visit the girls’ school, Hope Academy, to instruct the teachers there on some of the latest medical practices. They do much of their own nursing and…”
Rebekah didn't finish as her words registered on the Cuestas’ faces.
Mrs. Cuesta put a hand to her throat and Mr. Cuesta said gravely, “The school is no good place for you to go. Banditos have taken it over and threaten to slaughter all inside."
Jimmy coughed while Rebekah's eyes widened. "What about the local law-enforcement?"
“They not get in. Mexican Army not get in. You not get in."
Rebekah looked between the husband and wife. "I must go."
Those were the words simplest for the Cuestas, Jimmy, and her to comprehend.
Mr. Cuesta nodded solemnly. "We will pray for you. You will take Jimmy, sí?”
Rebekah raised an eyebrow. “I don't think that's a good…"
Jimmy banged his fist on the table, making the children jump. "I'll go with you, Doc Beck! You can count on me."
***
Late that evening, Rebekah went through the front room on the way to the small bedroom where the girls slept. She’d gone out for fresh air after everyone settled in for the night, and was returning to see if she could find a spot on the little bed three of the girls shared.
Passing by the adobe fireplace where Jimmy had a bed roll, she heard him whisper, “Miss Rebekah? You going to bed now?"
"I was."
"Can we talk a spell?"
Rebekah was thoroughly exhausted and knew a long day of traveling lay ahead, but she relented to Jimmy's request and sat on a low stool. She owed him a great deal, and there was something she needed to speak with him about.
He propped himself up on one elbow. "What do you think on what the Cuestas said about that girls’ school?”
"I haven't given it a great deal of thought yet. Once I get to the town, I'll be able to assess the situation."
Jimmy shook his head, his boyish look of amazement overtaking his expression.
“Like Sam Lowell said, you sure are a smart lady, all them fancy words. You got to stay at the Victoria Hotel sometime. You’d be impressed. They have a two-story outhouse that's as fine as anything you’ve seen. You see, when someone uses the upstairs—”
Rebekah held her hand up straight in front of Jimmy, stopping him.
"Really, Jimmy. Really."
He was so wide-eyed innocent. She shook her head with a soft chuckle.
"What I was thinking about outside was you, and how you might need someone to finish raising you. Now I’m sure of it. How would you like to come along with me not only to Zapata, but beyond. I have other work yet, but will eventually return to Wyoming. I have a job I can get you at a fine ranch if you're interested.”
Jimmy's eyes widened with his grin. "Would you really, Doc?”
“I would really, but you have to promise me something."
"What's that?"
"That you never again talk about two-story outhouses.”
“Deal.”
Jimmy raised enough to give her hand a hard shake, then cocked his head in curiosity.
"Wyoming. That where your home is, Miss Rebekah?"
She hesitated then decided to be fully honest. "That's some thing I ask myself often, just Jimmy."
Wyoming was a place she hoped Jimmy could call home. She had a feeling he needed one, same as everyone did. Her real one was so very, very far out of reach.
But if she could help people like Jimmy and Kurt and Billy and whoever else needed her, her plight was worth it.
Canyon War Page 7