Lazy Days

by Clay, Verna

  The child gave her a look that said he did not understand her word. He reiterated what he had said earlier; "I go when night."

  Hallie swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes, Walking Tall. And I will help you."

  Hallie desperately wanted to wet a cloth and wash the boy's dirt-streaked face, but decided it aided his disguise.

  When she heard shouts outside the wagon, she motioned for him to hide behind the trunk again and covered him with the blanket. She sat on the trunk just as Tim lifted the back flap. "Ma, some more soldiers just showed up and their talkin' to Captain Jones and the Lieutenant."

  Hallie said, "Tim, help me down."

  Cooper rounded the wagon and started unleashing Sweet Pea. "I'm going to ride to the front and find out what's happening."

  Hallie nodded. When Tim started to climb inside the wagon she asked, "What do you need, son?"

  "I was just gonna grab a leftover biscuit."

  "That can wait. Run back to the Hankersons and tell them Cooper is checking out the reason for our stopping. When you get back, I'll have a biscuit for you."

  Tim gave her a questioning look, but said, "Sure, Ma," and took off running.

  Quickly, Hallie opened the milk can, ladled some milk into one of the cups hanging beside the water barrel, and climbed back inside the wagon. Lifting the blanket she whispered, "Drink this and then hide again."

  The child downed the milk, creating a milk mustache to go with his dirt streaks, and then ducked behind the trunk once more.

  Grabbing a couple of biscuits, Hallie sat on the back of the wagon, dangling her feet over the edge and waiting for Tim and Cooper to return. After a few minutes she heard the trot of a horse and then Cooper rounded the wagon. "The commander of the fort sent word that most of our escort is to return immediately. Seems there's an increase in braves to the east and he's worried about a war. They need to secure the fort and protect a new train just coming through. He thinks we're far enough west to be out of danger. But just to be sure, Captain Jones wants us to continue without stopping at noon."

  Tim returned and hearing Cooper, glanced at his Ma. "Do you want me to go tell the Hankersons?"

  Cooper said, "Tim, you can ride with me and we'll alert everyone." He reached down to grasp Tim under the arm and haul him up behind him.

  Tim grinned from the back of Cooper's horse and waved to his mother.

  Hallie sighed, relieved that they would be gone for awhile.

  Because of the threat of Indian trouble, Captain Jones pushed the pioneers onward until dusk and they reached a campsite named Register Cliff. The captain called a meeting with his leaders and the heads of each family, and for that Hallie was glad. The more Cooper was away, the less likely he would discover Walking Tall.

  She searched their campsite. The sandstone cliff and rock outcroppings presented the perfect cover for the boy to escape. Once he reached the rocks, he could disappear into the night.

  As soon as darkness blanketed the camp, Hallie again sent Tim to the Hankersons; this time with the excuse of asking Emmett if he had finished the other dime novel Cooper had lent him.

  Tim gave her a curious look, but obeyed. Quickly, Hallie entered her wagon and whispered, "Walking Tall, it's time for your escape." The child tossed the blanket aside and jumped to his feet. Studying the boy's happy expression, Hallie felt her heart expand. Any doubts about what she was doing evaporated. Blinking back tears, she encircled the tiny boy in a hug and said, "Soon you'll be back with your Ma and Pa where you belong."

  The child hesitated, sniffed, and then reached his skinny arms around her waist in a return hug. In that instant, Tim flipped the canvas back and sucked a breath.

  Hallie pushed the child behind her and ordered, "Tim, climb inside the wagon and don't make a sound." In the light from their campfire, she watched her son gulp. "Hurry, son! We don't have much time!"

  Tim jumped into the wagon and Hallie whispered, "Tim, this is Walking Tall; he's the boy the soldiers were holding in their jail. We need to help him escape so he can return home. It wasn't right for the soldiers to capture him."

  Slowly, Tim nodded.

  She continued, "I'm going to walk with him to the boulders and I'm hoping anyone who sees us will just think I'm a mother strolling with her child." Hallie reached for Tim's hat and set it on the boy's head, stuffing his braids under it.

  Tim's eyes rounded and he said, "Can I trade hats with him?"

  "No, honey. After Walking Tall leaves, people might start asking why you're wearing your good hat all the time and we'd have to lie, something we're not good at."

  "Okay, Ma. But I got a better idea. After you get him to the rocks, I'll sneak over and walk back with you. Then folks won't wonder why you're coming back alone."

  A sudden pride entered Hallie's heart at her son's cleverness. "Yes. That's a great idea. Because it's dark, maybe the difference in your sizes will be less noticeable than me returning by myself." Inhaling deeply to fortify her courage, Hallie continued. "We've got to hurry before Cooper returns."

  Tim said, "I'll let you know when it's clear." He jumped from the wagon.

  Hallie turned to the boy. "Walking Tall, I want you to know I will never forget you and I wish for peace between our people."

  The child, with wisdom shining in eyes beyond his years, nodded his understanding.

  Tim slipped his head back inside the flap. "There's no one around right now."

  Hallie said, "Okay, son. Keep watching."

  While Tim hid behind their wagon, Hallie slipped from it and whispered to Walking Tall, "As soon as I tell you, jump down and hold my hand, and we'll walk toward the rocks. Do you understand?"

  The child whispered, "Yes, Hal…Hal-lee."

  Hallie walked to her fire, pretending to warm herself, and waited until she felt it was safe to retrieve Walking Tall. Slowly, she walked to the back of her wagon, lifted the canvas and whispered, "Now."

  The child jumped to the ground, slipped his hand into her outstretched one, and walked with her toward the boulders. She said, "We can't go too fast." Guiding him to the darkest stretch and with her heart in her throat, she squeezed Walking Tall's hand to encourage him and he returned her squeeze. In just a couple of minutes, though it seemed an eternity, they reached the cover of the rocks. Darting behind them, Hallie said through tears, "You're free, Walking Tall. Run like a deer back to your family."

  Hallie heard the child sniff as he released her hand. He started to move away, then quickly turned and embraced her waist. He said, "I love Hal-lee," before disappearing into the night.

  Hallie swallowed several times, trying to remove the lump in her throat. A few minutes later she heard Tim calling softly, "Ma?"

  "Over here, Tim."

  Her son followed the direction of her voice and when he reached her, she said, "Tim, I'm so proud of you. We did what was right." Reaching for her boy, she pulled him into an embrace.

  "I know, Ma." He hugged her back.

  Chapter 23: Blessing

  Because of the threat of Indian attack, Captain Jones pressed the emigrants ever forward, foregoing a stop at Ayres Bridge, a natural formation caused by the erosion of LaPrele Creek. Some of the emigrants already knew about the popular campsite and requested that they make camp there, but the captain’s decision to continue onward was respected with few complaints. Every night, he called a meeting to reassure the pioneers that Fort Casper would be reached in a few days.

  A day away from their destination, everyone sighed with relief. It looked like they had bypassed Indian hostilities and would reach another safe haven without an encounter.

  Alas, it was not to be.

  While Hallie daydreamed about planting her first crop, she heard a shout from Emmett as he galloped the length of the train.

  "Halt your wagons. Indians ahead!"

  Immediately, Cooper called, "Whoa!" and stopped the oxen. He turned and ordered, "Tim, help your mother into the wagon and both of you stay there until I tell you it's safe to
come out!"

  Tim grabbed his mother's hand and pulled her toward the back of their schooner while Cooper unhitched Sweet Pea and mounted. From inside the wagon, Hallie and Tim peeked around the flap. Because they were close to the front of the train, they had a view of a band of Indians slowly approaching on horseback. Hallie gasped when she recognized Walking Tall sitting in front of a powerful brave. "Tim, there's Walking Tall. He made it home." She blinked back tears of relief. "Son, I've got to go to the front. Perhaps we can avoid a conflict if Walking Tall sees me."

  "Ma, I'm going with you."

  "No, son, I want you to stay safe."

  "Ma, I'll not let you go alone. I'm the man of the house now and if we're going to die, I want to die with you. I'm not a coward."

  Hallie recognized the stubborn set of her son's jaw and pride filled her heart at his courage. She whispered, "We're not going to die, Tim. Walking Tall surely wouldn't be with that brave if they intended to harm us. Besides, we have land waiting for us in Oregon." Then she smiled and grabbed his hand, knowing he would never stay behind. "Come on, we'll face this together." Walking past the wagons in front of theirs, the pioneers gasped.

  Cooper, Captain Jones, and the other men sitting atop their horses waiting for the approach of the Indians, heard the commotion and jerked around. An incredulous expression crossed Cooper's face before he rasped, "What the hell are you doing here? Get back to the wagon, pronto!" He started to dismount.

  Hallie lifted a hand. "No, Cooper. We know what we're doing." Searching his eyes with her own, she said, "You must trust us."

  Cooper sank back into his saddle, his expression registering the fact that he didn't know whether to drag them back to their wagon or trust them.

  Hallie looked beyond them to the Indians now within yards of the wagon train's leaders. She made eye contact with Walking Tall and then lifted her gaze to the brave encircling him within his muscular arms. Walking Tall looked upward at the brave, said something, and then pointed at Hallie and Tim. The brave almost smiled. In that instant Hallie knew the emigrants would come to no harm.

  Captain Jones, Cooper, and the other men turned their heads back and forth between the Indians and Hallie and Tim. Suddenly, the brave said loudly in broken English, "You go safe with blessing of Great Spirit!" After speaking, he ruffled Walking Tall's hair, nodded to Hallie and Tim, and turned his horse around. As they cantered away, followed by the other braves, Walking Tall twisted his body to peek around his protector and give Hallie and Tim a wave and big smile.

  After a shocked silence, Captain Jones boomed, "What in the name of heaven just happened?"

  Hallie pulled on Tim's hand and started back toward their wagon. Cooper trotted his horse in front of her and said, "Not so fast." He glanced at Tim and dismounted. "Go back to the wagon. I need to speak with your mother alone."

  "Yes, sir."

  Before Hallie knew what Cooper was about, he lifted her side saddle onto the front of his horse and then mounted behind her. Holding her within the protection of his arms, he flicked the reins and turned his horse away from the wagons.

  Hallie said breathlessly, "What are you doing?"

  "Getting an answer to one question."

  "Wh-what question?"

  "Did you help that boy escape?"

  "Ah…well…"

  "I thought so."

  "You would have done the same thing," she accused.

  Cooper laughed softly. "Perhaps." Then he laughed loudly, "Sweetheart, you may have just saved the lives of everyone on our train."

  Hallie glanced sharply at him and then couldn't turn away. Her mouth was only inches from his and her intent to kiss him must have been reflected on her face because his laughing ceased and he halted Sweet Pea. She was so close she could feel his chest vibrate when he spoke. "Hallie, I'll not deny there's an attraction between us, but what you've got in mind is not a good idea."

  Ignoring his warning, she placed her lips on his, enjoying the fact that there was no mud getting in the way.

  For a second, Cooper remained perfectly still, and then he moved his mouth gently over hers. Hallie melted against his body and clutched the front of his duster. He lingered the kiss a few seconds and then leaned back, but Hallie followed his movement. Lifting his arms to her shoulders to gently push her back and break contact, he said, "I need to get you back to your wagon. I don't think anyone saw us kiss because our backs are to them, but still, I can imagine the wagging tongues of the Pittance group just by me riding out with you."

  Hallie willed herself not to cry at his rejection.

  By evening of the next day, they arrived at Fort Casper.

  Chapter 24: Audaciousness

  At dawn of their first day camped outside Fort Casper, Hallie searched out Cooper tending the animals and her determination to apologize wavered as mortification ate its way up her body. However, her conscience wouldn't let her retreat.

  Cooper heard her approach and turned. So penetrating was his gaze that she wanted to slink away and forget why she'd come. Before she lost her courage, she blurted, "Cooper, I'd like to–"

  He stepped close and lifted a finger to her lips to still whatever she was about to say. "Come with me," he said low and motioned her to follow him.

  Walking past their wagon, he led her to the seclusion of a copse of trees. Leaning against the trunk of one he said, "Now say what you want. I get sick of wondering whose watching and listening to everything we do."

  Hallie fortified her courage. "I-I just wanted to say I'm sorry for my audacious behavior and ask that you please put the unseemly incident behind us. Well, actually, the two incidents."

  Locked into his gaze, Hallie watched him break eye contact and squat to snap off a blade of grass, stick it between his teeth and from that position, lock eyes with her again. "Now what unseemly behavior might that be, Hallie?"

  Hallie's eyes widened and she stammered, "M-my kissing you…yesterday and…and at the Platte River."

  Cooper adjusted the blade in his mouth. "Now why would you think it was unseemly?"

  Hallie couldn't believe his response and her heart tripped. "B-because it's…it's…"

  Cooper quirked an eyebrow, "It's what?" Slowly, he rose off his haunches, towering above her.

  Hallie's mouth went dry when he stepped to within a hairs breadth of her body. A twitch moved the corner of his mouth and he reached for the blade of grass, tossing it to the ground. Hallie's eyes widened when he continued, "I'm tired of fighting this and I was thinkin' maybe you could do a repeat and show me the audacious part."

  Hallie's voice deserted her and she stood frozen like a statue.

  Cooper's gaze shifted to her mouth, back to her eyes, and returned to her mouth. Softly, he whispered, "Kiss me, Hallie."

  Like a moth drawn into a fire, Hallie stood on tiptoe and moved her mouth toward his at the same time he lowered his head. When their lips touched, she clutched his shoulders, hauling herself tightly against him. He smiled against her mouth and then did what she craved, kissed her without restraint. He braced the back of her head with one of his big hands and angled it just right. His tongue flicked her bottom lip and she melted against him, opening her mouth to his exploration. Oh, sweet Jesus!

  When Cooper reached to cup her backside with his free hand and pull her tightly against his hips, she moaned and almost begged him to drop her in the grass. Releasing her grip on his shirt, she had an urge to mimic him and grab his backside, too, but courage failed her there. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and mated her tongue with his.

  A noise startled them and they burst apart. Hallie gathered her wits and turned to see Tim's shocked expression.

  * * *

  Cooper wanted to curse—loudly. Instead he stepped away from Hallie and said, "Tim, I don't want you to be upset. This wasn't your ma's doin'."

  Tim moved his gaze from Cooper to his mother. In a voice choking with emotion, he said, "Pa ain't been dead long at all. How do you think he's feelin' watchin'
from heaven?"

  Hallie stepped forward on a soft cry, "Tim, please–"

  The boy turned and ran back to camp.

  Lifting a trembling hand to her lips, Hallie turned eyes overflowing with tears toward Cooper and rasped, "He's right. This is so improper."

  Cooper watched Hallie retreating as she rushed after her son. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the makings for a smoke, all the while repeating every curse word he knew, even inventing some new ones.

  Throughout the day, while making repairs to their wagon, he kept a close watch on Hallie and Tim. Her attempts to speak with her son were virtually ignored and she did not press him to listen; probably a good idea for now. As for her speaking to Cooper, she avoided him like a rabbit would a coyote. Before the day was over Cooper added a few more choice words to his vocabulary.

  At a meeting to discuss the current "Important Particulars," Captain Jones advised the pioneers that they were at a crucial point in their travels. He warned that after leaving Fort Casper they would be crossing the North Platte at Guinard's Toll Bridge, three miles away, and the terrain would become barren, with good grazing and water in short supply. He highly suggested that anyone needing to avail themselves of the blacksmith and well-stocked trading post should not procrastinate because they were leaving the day after next.

  Cooper decided to change their axle and after smashing his thumb a couple of times, was finally able to concentrate on the task at hand.

  Supper was a solemn occasion. Tim received his plate from his mother and promptly walked past the animals to eat alone. Hallie dished her own plate and climbed inside her wagon.

  Left alone, Cooper ladled beans over biscuits, the worst he'd ever tasted, and walked toward Tim. Immediately, the boy removed himself to another place. Cooper sighed and wished he didn't feel such longing for Hallie.

  Chapter 25: Reconciliation at Independence Rock

  Hallie walked beside her wagon as it rolled toward the toll bridge spanning the North Platte. Before breaking camp that morning, Captain Jones had ordered that lots be cast to determine the order of the wagons for travel, and hers had come in next to last. Ahead of her, the Pittance schooner was about to cross over, with Mrs. Pittance haggling the price of the toll. It was then that Pastor Pittance stepped beside his wife and handed the operator the amount he'd asked for. Although Mrs. Pittance's face contorted in anger, she did not argue.