Ringed Love

by Elizabeth Noble

  Chapter 11

  Six years after the surrender of New Colorado Protectorate

  Todd regarded the note in his hand and flicked at the corner of the paper. He sighed and squared his shoulders before meeting the gaze of the man in front of him. “You sure about this?”

  The sheriff nodded. “Is Nick home? I wanted to talk to him as well.”

  “Um, yeah, sorry, come in and be comfortable. He’s out in the barn. I’ll go—”

  “We can walk out there,” the sheriff said and put a hand on Todd’s shoulder. Todd realized it was partially to steer Todd to the barn and partially to steady himself. His limp was worse, but Todd didn’t mention it, not wanting to embarrass the other man.

  Checking his steps so the sheriff wouldn’t have trouble keeping up, Todd folded the paper and shoved it into his pocket as they walked in silence to the barn. Once inside, he stopped for a few seconds to let his eyes adjust to the lower light and called, “Nicky?”

  Nick poked his head out of the small tack room at the end of the central aisle. “Yeah?” He grinned and wiped both hands on his jeans as he strode toward them. “Hello, Sheriff.” His gaze shifted for a split second to Todd, who made sure to keep his expression neutral. Nick was still shy about greetings that included such things as handshakes. As long as Todd acted as if there was nothing unusual, Nick would relax.

  The sheriff had known them for a long while and was a kind man. He stepped forward and extended his hand. Nick smiled softly, shook the sheriff’s hand once, and retreated behind Todd.

  “The sheriff came to talk to us.” Todd pulled the paper from his pocket and held it loosely.

  The sheriff looked from Todd to Nick, then down at the floor for a few seconds before focusing on them again. He shifted his weight before leaning back against one of the support beams and sighed deeply.

  “There have been a lot of changes in the protectorate the last few years. I’ve made a few decisions that I hope might in some small way help Elk’s Ridge go forward with those changes. Since the war ended, a lot of people have moved here, and we have to adjust,” the sheriff said.

  Todd and Nick looked at each other. “Agreed,” Todd said softly.

  “First I’ve decided to retire. My girls lost their mother recently, and they almost lost their father two weeks ago when that jackass mowed me down with a wagon. If you hadn’t been with me…” His voice trailed off.

  “But I was there,” Todd reminded him.

  “Yes, you were. That’s why I gave a copy of that letter to the city council, and they agreed the most logical person to replace me as sheriff is you. Other sentries have moved into Yellowknife and settled in the towns. It’s become pretty commonplace for them to become part of law enforcement all over this area. Job is yours.”

  “What are you going to do?” Nick asked.

  The sheriff smiled. “My girls are heading off to college in Yellowknife City, and I think I’ll move up there with them. Stay out of their hair, of course. The rest of my family is up there, which brings me to the other matter I wanted to discuss.” He paused when Nick cleared off the top of a grain bin.

  “Do you want to sit down?” Nick asked.

  The sheriff smiled and waved Nick off. “I’m fine. My sister sits on a board comprised of representatives from a few colleges. They’ve started an initiative to help the former slaves who have moved into Yellowknife. I don’t have to tell you the educational system New Colorado had for slaves was excellent. Back then the laws prevented slaves from becoming fully accredited and licensed in a number of professions, even though they were very qualified.” He stopped and pulled an envelope from his back pocket and held it out to Nick.

  Nick took it and opened it, pulling out a letter while at the same time asking, “What is this?”

  “I put your name in. You’ll be in the first group to sit for exams. That is your acceptance letter to take the veterinary test. I’m sure you’ll pass. Don’t make a horse’s ass out of me.”

  “N-no sir. No ass,” Nick stammered, staring at the paper. He handed it to Todd.

  “I told the council I’d stay on until after Nick’s exam since he has to go to Yellowknife City. There is a refresher course, then the exams. I didn’t know if you’d want to go with him.” The sheriff looked from Nick to Todd.

  Nick abruptly sat on the grain bin, gazing down at the paper in his hand. The sheriff bid them goodbye, and Todd walked with him to his carriage. When he returned to the barn, Nick was pacing back and forth.

  “I’m not ready for this.” Nick waved the paper around. “I have to do it.”

  Todd settled on the grain bin and watched Nick.

  “What if I don’t pass? The test is in three weeks, and it’ll take at least a few days to get to Yellowknife City.”

  Todd scratched at his knee and twisted so his back cracked. He glanced up at Nick.

  “If I don’t pass, I can’t come back here. I promised the sheriff.” Nick’s voice cracked. He threw both hands in the air and let them drop to his sides.

  Watching Nick’s back and forth along a short path, Todd stretched his arms over his head.

  “I never even imagined this could be possible.” Nick stopped pacing and faced Todd. He threw both hands in the air again. “Are you listening to me?”

  “If I remember correctly, there should be a train leaving for

  Yellowknife City day after tomorrow. If you want, we—”

  Todd stopped abruptly when Nick practically shouted, “I’ve got books to get together and notes. That’s less than two days.”

  Before Todd could say much more, Nick bolted from the barn. Sighing, Todd stood up and walked to Arenite’s stall. He scratched the horse’s broad face and chuckled. “He’ll pass that test as long as he doesn’t stop breathing or something.”

  Todd’s first mission that day was to make a trip into town while Nick started organizing what reference materials he’d need to take with him. Todd’s first stop was the train depot. He wasn’t sure if he was pleased or not to find out he’d more or less memorized the train schedule since settling in Elk’s Ridge. There was indeed a train leaving bright and early at 6:00 a.m. the day after the next. Todd bought tickets and made sure he and Nick would have a private cabin. He knew Nick would likely have his nose buried in a book the entire trip and would appreciate the quiet and privacy. Todd gave himself a mental pat on the back for being such a good husband. Fortunately it would only take a little more than a day to reach Yellowknife City.

  Next he went to the courier office, which was next to the train depot. He sent Nick’s confirmation ahead to the person listed in Nick’s acceptance letter. For a few extra dollars paid to the courier, Todd would have a list of hotels in the section of the city where the colleges were located and where the testing would take place that would be waiting for him when they arrived. Satisfied with his arrangements, Todd headed to the lumber mill.

  “Anyone here?” Todd called as he walked through the building to the offices in the back. It was late enough in the day, it was possible everyone was out making deliveries.

  “In here. Just got back,” Stefan said. He strode forward from the other end of the hall and shook Todd’s hand vigorously. He was one of those constantly jovial people. Todd decided years ago he took mostly after his grandmother, Millie. “Hey, I hope you don’t mind I started working on these for you and Nick. If you want to make your own, take your pick from any of the wood.”

  Stefan pulled some items from a cabinet behind his desk and laid them on the pile of paperwork that always seemed to be there. Todd had thought a few times about looking through to see if any of it ever changed. Stefan had set down two signs. They were the type that could be hung from chains over a door.

  Todd turned them to get a better look and burst out laughing. “I should have known Nick and I would be the last to know what the sheriff did.”

  “Well.” Stefan scuffed a toe on the ground and scratched the back of his head. “He sort of had to confe
ss when he sent off the letters and then got replies. Our store does house the post office.” Tapping on one of the signs, Stefan asked, “What do you think?”

  “I think they’re great. Thanks,” Todd said and picked one up. It read: Nick Ruger, VMD. The other simply said: Todd Ruger, Sheriff.

  “You know there’s that empty office a few doors down from the sheriff’s office. Do you want me to get the details about it for Nick? It’s good sized and would make a nice in-town clinic for him.”

  “I think he’d like that.” Todd set the plaque down and snickered. “Provided, of course, he doesn’t have some sort of breakdown before he takes this test.”

  “Consider it done.” Stefan wrapped the signs in soft cloth. “There is no chance he’d fail, is there?”

  Todd snorted and shook his head. “Hang the signs and we’ll work out the details for that empty place and make sure it’ll work for what he needs here in town. Will you be able to keep an eye on our farm?”

  “Already planned on it.” Stefan stepped around the desk and patted Todd’s shoulder. “Have a good trip.”

  “Thank you. For everything,” Todd said before he left and started his trip home.

  By the time he returned, Nick had two trunks sitting near the front door. Todd bent and grabbed the handle of the nearest one, groaning when he strained to lift it off the ground. Nick came from the hall, dragging a third trunk he deposited beside the other two.

  Pointing to them he explained, “Books to study. Our work supplies, just in case, because we’ve never gone anywhere and not needed some of this stuff to vanquish something. And—” he poked the last trunk with his toe “—our clothes and personal supplies.”

  “You did all this while I was gone? I wasn’t away more than a few hours.”

  Nick shrugged. “Honestly, that one with our work supplies is packed most of the time. Did you get the tickets?”

  “Nah…they were sold out,” Todd teased. When the color dropped off Nick’s face, Todd held both hands in the air and said fast, “Kidding. Yes, they’re right here.” He pulled them from his pocket. “I booked us a private cabin, and we leave at six in the morning day after tomorrow. I thought we could haul all this to the depot tomorrow and spend the night in Elk’s Ridge since…” Todd rolled his eyes and laughed a little. “Six in the morning.”

  “What are you going to do up there the whole time?” Nick asked. His expression led Todd to believe he’d only now had that thought.

  Todd shrugged. “I’m sure Yellowknife City has bars and women.”

  Nick’s eyes widened and he gulped down some funny noise.

  “Kidding,” Todd said and sighed. He wasn’t sure which one of them would have that breakdown sooner, him or Nick. They hadn’t even left yet, and Todd couldn’t wait for this test to be finished.

  Todd shouldn’t have been surprised when Nick convinced him to leave early the next afternoon. They loaded the trunks into their flatbed wagon. Nick did a good job of ignoring Todd’s grumblings about how heavy the trunks were. He was more than a little relieved to find plenty of workers at the depot willing to help them get their trunks stored in the loading dock. They normally didn’t take so much with them on trains, and in the past, train trips were often spur-of the-moment. So, Todd was a little surprised to see how many other people brought luggage ahead of time. It was all stored in small rooms with tags designating which train and what destination to which the various bags and trunks were being sent.

  Much to Todd’s relief, the train was already waiting when they arrived at the depot the next morning. They handed over their tickets and moved through the passenger cars in search of their cabin. There was a larger-than-normal number of passengers, and Todd heard a few talking about traveling to Yellowknife City for the same reason as they were. He didn’t envy any of the train’s crew if they were held up for any reason.

  Nick’s tossing and turning the previous night meant Todd hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep. Their trunks were already in their cabin, and Nick had a pile of books stacked on top of one while he settled in the chair across from the bed, two more books balanced on his knees. Todd kicked his boots off, stripped down to his jeans and undershirt, flopped on the bed, and went back to sleep.

  When Todd stretched awake, he rolled over and watched Nick. The books resting in his lap were different, but other than that, it was the same picture as when Todd fell asleep. He glanced at his watch. It was almost noon. “Want to go get lunch? I’m getting hungry.” He scooted over the bed and stood up to gaze out of the small window.

  Even though the number of miles between Yellowknife City and Elk’s Ridge weren’t that many, traveling there by train took a little more than twenty-four hours. There were a number of lakes and rivers and the terrain was rugged, so the tracks took a more winding route than a direct path. He saw the southern tip of Great Slave Lake looming ahead. The train would travel to the east and then around to the northern edge where Yellowknife City was located.

  Moving to Nick, he closed the books and set them on the bed. Taking Nick’s hand, he said, “You won’t remember a damn thing if you’re hungry, and I can hear your stomach grumble from here.” Nick looked up and opened his mouth, presumably to protest, but Todd yanked him out of the chair. “You’ve known this stuff for years, and it’s not as if you’re getting off the train and going straight to the test. There is two weeks of course work first.”

  They found a booth in the dining car and watched the lake waters pass by as they waited on their orders.

  “It still seems odd that there is no slave car.” Nick sipped his coffee. “And it’s getting harder every year to pick out who was a slave.”

  “You sound almost as if that is a bad thing.”

  “No,” Nick said and shook his head. “But it is different. It’s sort of amazing how much our world has changed since Chancellor Clarke was assassinated.”

  They stopped their conversation when their food was brought out and placed on their table. Nick rested his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand, staring out at the scenery. He sighed contentedly. Then in the next instant, he sat straight and leaned closer to the window, staring out intently.

  The hair along the back of Todd’s neck bristled and his breath caught. They were going over a bridge. A small river that emptied into Great Slave Lake was below. “What…?” Todd asked, voice trailing off when Nick reached across the table and grabbed his hand.

  “Did you see that?” Nick pointed to a spot a few hundred yards out into the lake.

  The train rattled and shifted side to side when it began crossing to solid ground again. Instead of their ride becoming smoother, it seemed to be getting bumpier. Todd squinted at the water. It took a few seconds for his brain to process what his eyes told him. The lake water bucked and rippled erratically. Trees swayed precariously and a flock of birds took flight, darkening the sky briefly. The long grass rippled, but not from the tops like when the motion was caused by wind. The shivering of the stalks started at their base.

  Without warning, a powerful shudder ran through the train, and the distinctive sound of metal brakes against the metal tracks was heard over the rising chatter and noise from the passengers. Their car shimmied back and forth, a rumbling crashed through the air, and then the ground visible through the window heaved up. The lights hanging from the car’s ceiling swooshed to and fro, and plates and silverware jumped off the tables. Glasses and mugs full of all sorts of liquids smashed to the floor, and a number of meals met the same fate.

  There were shocked cries from all around them. A few passengers shouted the word “earthquake.” People grabbed whatever they could hang on to, to keep from being tossed about like rag dolls. A few of the individuals who were navigating the aisles ended up on their knees. Some were thrown into tables, chairs, and other people. The train finally ground to a halt. Todd and Nick moved down the center aisle, helping people off the floor and making sure no one was injured.

  “That could have been a real disaster
if we were still on the bridge,” Todd said. They walked the entire inside length of the train. Once getting to the engine car and introducing themselves to the conductor, they offered assistance. The conductor asked that they help check for wounded passengers. As far as she knew, there were no criminals being transported on this trip, so there was no concern about someone leaving the train who shouldn’t. More than half the train’s crew was outside inspecting for damage to the tracks and train. The next hour or so was spent going from car to car and making sure everyone had what they needed.

  “Was there something in the lake?” Todd asked when they were making their way back to their cabin.

  “I don’t know,” Nick said. “For a second it seemed as if there was, but I couldn’t really tell if it was an illusion caused by the water moving or if something was coming out of the water.” He crossed the small room and peered out of the window. “It looks like they’re getting all of the crew back onto the train. I hope we get moving soon.”

  Todd stood behind Nick and rubbed his shoulders, then Nick was pulled against Todd and his cheek was kissed. “You have plenty of time before you need to check in, so stop worrying.”

  “Something doesn’t feel right.” Nick turned away from the window and slipped both arms around Todd.

  Todd nodded. “I know.” He looked beyond Nick to the window. The train lurched forward and they were on their way again. “Things come out during natural disasters,” he muttered.

  Nick settled more firmly against Todd and tightened his grip. “That wasn’t a very big quake and certainly not a major disaster, but we should check out the people on this train and the area.”

  “No, we shouldn’t. I’ll check it out. You’re going to sit your ass in a lecture hall and concentrate on passing your test.”

  “You’ll gather information only? Promise me,” Nick insisted.

  Todd nodded. “I promise. After your test, if we need to, we’ll do a little hunting. Hopefully it’s nothing. Can you draw what you saw?” Nick nodded. “I think so.”