by Danni Roan
An older woman wrapped snuggly in a warm rug wiggled her gloved fingers at them smiling as they passed at a sedate pace.
“Well that was civil,” George said, looking up from his task once more as the sound of a horse plodding around the turn caught his ears.
“Sheriff,” Major Jupiter ambled along the street on a leggy bay gelding.
Sheriff Pike chuckled, “Major, I see you’re keeping an eye on Mr. Williams and his friend Mrs. Farrow.”
“Yes sir Sheriff. No need for you to worry when I’m on watch.” The old soldier replied letting his horse choose its pace down the street. “I’ll be headed home now.” He added touching a gloved hand to his old hat.
George shook his head, “That was a good thing you and Ferd done giving the Major that job.”
“He still has his bad days,” Sheriff Pike said, “but I think having a purpose here in town helps him stay centered.”
“I know his granddaughter is glad he’s busy,” George said. “She worried about how his mind was failing.”
Sheriff Pike pushed his hat back on his head, his eyes following the retreating Major. “I can’t say that it’s fixed all the problems,” he mused, “but it does help. He’s still an old man who’s seen a lot of miles.”
George nodded, “We ain’t far behind him I think,” he smiled.
“You speak for yourself George Olson,” the Sheriff joshed, “me, I’m in my prime.”
“Sheriff Pike,” Francis’s voice caught both men by surprise and George hastened to right his ice cream churn.
“Dagnabit Francis, you do tread soft,” Sheriff Pike said, noting the younger man’s smile. He was convinced the Indian snuck up on him just to prove he could.
“Sorry,” He said, the smile flitting across his face. “I hear you have notice.”
“Yes, I got a wire from the Sheriff down in Hester Nevada saying that the Bentley’s were safe in Utah.”
Francis nodded his dark eyes bright. “You know who brought message to Shady?” he asked.
“No I’m afraid I don’t, but I wired back that you were here and that you had enough sense to stay until the weather broke.”
George looked at the young man suspiciously. “You and the fellas in the village got a death wish or something?”
“No. Challenge,” Francis said with a smile turning and making his way down the stairs toward the livery.
“I guess young fella’s like that are still the same as ever,” George mused. “Still trying to prove they’re tough.”
Chapter 28
DEAR MR. JED,
My name is Sarah Jane Bentley and I am a friend of Titus. As a matter of fact he is staying with my family, and we have become good friends.
Sarah Jane looked at the letter pondering the last few words.
Had she and Titus actually become friends? She would have to say yes they had, but was that enough.
Tapping a finger against her lips she thought about the handsome young man who had literally dropped into their lives.
There was something about him, something different that she couldn’t quite place. Perhaps it was that fact that he couldn’t remember his past that intrigued her. It was a strange case for someone to not know who they were.
Shaking her head she put the thought aside. Although the circumstances surrounding Titus were unusual, there was more to it than that.
Sarah Jane had never met a man who would go to such lengths for his friends. She’d heard about what he’d done for his friend Jed, and how he’d brought Bailey back to Hester with him while helping him find his horse and giving him a place to come back to if it was ever needed.
Even when Sheriff Davis had sent him out looking for her family, he could have turned back before he’d found them, but he’d doggedly pursued the issue even at great harm to himself.
Turning back to her letter she put pen to paper once more.
It has become apparent to me over the past few weeks that Titus has been with us that he is a unique and caring young man, and I would like to help him if I can.
I am writing to you to ask for any details you can give me about the day you found him. He has spoken of your kindness and friendship explaining his unusual situation.
If you could give me more information about where and when you found him, I believe that I might be able to help pursue his past.
Most Sincerely
Sarah Jane Bentley.
Carefully folding the letter, Sarah Jane placed it in an envelope and carried it to Father John to send out with the post the next time the weather was good enough for a trip to Shady.
It wasn’t much, but perhaps she might find some starting place that would point Titus in the right direction.
Somehow she was certain that there were answers if only they knew where to look.
“Sarah Jane,” her mother called as she stepped back into the house. “Fetch your father and Titus for me please.”
“Yes Mama,” Sarah Jane called wrapping herself in the warm cloak once more and stepping out into the cold and snow, making her way toward the shed where the two men were working.
As Sarah Jane stepped around the corner her mind on the letter she had just penned, she bumped into something warm and solid, looking up into the bright blue eyes of Titus himself.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She said taking a step back and feeling the cold rush in around her once more. “I was sent to fetch you and Pa,” she added her cheeks taking on a glow that had nothing to do with the cold.
“We were finishing up and heading your way,” Titus said. He was still standing too close, but he liked the feel and didn’t step back. “I’m sorry you had to come out into the cold to find us.”
“That’s all right,” Sarah Jane said still studying his face. “I like being outdoors.”
Titus smiled. Sarah Jane was so different that some of the girls he’d met in Hester. She tended to speak her mind, and was never fussing about the weather or shopping.
“Sarah Jane,” Her father’s voice made her jump, and she took another step away from Titus. “What are you doing here?” Bill asked walking toward them.
“Mama sent me to get you,” she said.
Bill Bentley chuckled, “I’m sure she’s worried we’re staying out too long.”
“Yes, and suppers almost ready and with the days getting shorter, mama doesn’t like any of us to be out after dark.”
“You two head on up to the house now,” Bill said. “I’ll be along in a minute I need to check one more thing.”
Titus offered his arm to Sarah Jane, telling himself it was to make sure she didn’t slip on a patch of ice, or fall over the drifting snow, but he knew it was really just to be close to her.
He wasn’t sure how it had happened or why, but he was beginning to have feelings for his host’s daughter, and as much as it intrigued, him it frightened him as well.
A half an hour later they were sitting around the dinner table laughing and chatting about the events of the day.
The boys, who had been working with Father John on their dog crates, had come home talking nonstop about whose crate and whose dog was better.
“It will only be two more weeks and we’ll be allowed to take the puppies,” Melvin said.”
“Blundering Bear said if we come over and help him with his ponies we could pick whichever dog we want,” Calvin jumped in.
“We went down and helped him yesterday and today, but he didn’t really want us to help with his ponies,” Melvin continued.
“What did he want then?” Molly asked looking at her husband with concern.
“He wanted us to help him work out his letters, so he could give a note to Mama Peaks.” Calvin said shaking his head.
“It was a love note,” both boys said with chagrin.
“It’s supposed to be a secret,” Melvin said, elbowing Calvin in the ribs.
“I know,” Calvin returned with a hearty jab of his own and almost knocking his brother off the bench they shared.
“Boys that will be enough,” Molly said, trying to suppress a smile.
“And if someone says something’s a secret you’re not to be telling your whole family about it,” Bill added.
“Sorry Pa,” the boys said then turning to their mother continued, “Sorry Ma.”
“Alright now don’t embarrass Blundering Bear with your tattling tongues,” Molly said but you can always tell your ma.”
Bill looked over at Molly smiling a soft twinkle in his eye and Titus took the opportunity to look at Sarah Jane only to be confronted with her laughing brown eyes in return.
Chapter 29
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS of winter flew by, and the harder Titus tried to deny his feelings for Sarah Jane the more they grew.
Each morning or evening he found himself walking with her to or from some space within the village. Whether it were to collect eggs, pick up bread from the bakery, or simply follow her home when she came to inform him that a meal was ready. He looked forward to each moment.
He even accompanied Sarah Jane and her family to the weddings of Laughing Dog to Morning Stars and Blundering Bear to Mama Peaks. The latter of which caught everyone by surprise except the two boys who had helped with the poem.
It was while watching the people of the mission drawn together by the joyous occasions that Titus knew that he was falling for Sarah Jane.
Sadly, he knew there was nothing he could offer the young woman, and he would need to guard his heart if they were both to survive their time together unscathed.
“You’re always too serious,” Sarah Jane chided as they walked back from the bakery each clutching a hot loaf of bread.
“I guess I do get stuck in my own thoughts sometimes,” Titus admitted.
“Pretty soon it will just be us.”
Titus turned looking at the young woman stunned.
Sarah Jane smiled, “I mean my family,” she corrected with a blush.
“I see what you mean,” Titus agreed. “I guess I’ll have to do better and pay attention to what’s going on around me.”
Sarah Jane laughed, “yes or you might find yourself tumbling down another hill.”
It was this easy going banter that added to the way Titus felt about Sarah Jane. He’d come to respect her, and care for her.
“Sarah Jane,” he started surprising her with the use of her given name. “I’m,” he paused thinking. “I’m glad to know you.”
Sarah Jane stopped placing her hand on his arm. “I think we were meant to meet Titus,” she said, “and no matter how things go in this world I believe we’ll be forever linked.”
Titus ducked his head embarrassed that he’d spoken his mind, but the look in Sarah Jane’s eyes went straight to his heart.
Smiling he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and moved on toward home.
SPRING WAS BARELY A promise when the Bentley’s pulled out of the valley with many sad goodbyes.
The little village had become a respite from the troubles of the world, but now it was time to move on and find their new home.
Titus saddled up the mule and his horse, and told the boys to climb up on Buster for the start of the ride.
He was pretty sure the old mule wouldn’t mind the boy’s shenanigans and watching them trot him up along the wagon as it pulled out brought a glimpse of something familiar; the shadow of a memory of boys bouncing along on the old brown mule’s back.
Shaking his head he swung into the saddle of his horse and headed along the trail.
The Indians had told them of a pass that crossed below the southern pass of the Oregon Trail explaining how to find it.
It was a little more rugged than the better know trail but would bring them in below the mountains where the little town of Biders Clump lay.
Titus, determined to see to it that the family made their way safely to the little town with the strange name, would scout ahead.
They’d been on the trail when to his surprise Sarah Jane rode up next to him sitting on his mule.
“I need to talk to you,” the girl said making him pull his horse to a stop as she came along side.
“What about?” he asked, taking in the way she sat the old mule with confidence.
“Us,” she stated flatly.
“Us?” Titus blinked. He’d been careful not to let his feelings for the young woman show, but apparently he hadn’t done a very good job.
“Yes us,” Sarah Jane said her voice full of determination.
“Titus you and I have been dancing around each other almost from the moment you arrived at the valley,” she began wagging a finger at him to let him know she wasn’t finished.
“From the minute I laid eyes on you I felt something. I didn’t understand what it was at the time, but since that day it has only grown until I recognize it now.”
Titus opened his mouth to speak to head her off but she waved her hand stopping him.
“Titus, I care for you, and I’m pretty sure you care for me. I see the way you sneak glances at me over the table or how sometimes when I’m busy doing something you stop and watch me. I think we’re both being ridiculous pretending that there isn’t something between us.”
Titus sat staring at her not sure what to say, or if he’d be allowed to say it if he knew.
“Well?” Sarah Jane finally asked.
“I,” he said the word tumbling out and sticking in the air. “I have nothing to offer you,” he stated.
“What do you think I need?”
“A house, a home, a name,” Titus said bitterly.
“Why, when all I want is you? Why can’t that be enough? You and me,” she said emphasizing her words by pointing at him then at her heart.
“I don’t even know who I am,” Titus hissed anger, frustration, and sorrow welling up in his chest. “I could be an outlaw, a thief, a cattle rustler.”
“And you could be a good, honest, decent man who has lost his memory, but not the truth of his heart.”
Titus shook his head. “I have nothing to give you Sarah Jane,” he insisted.
Sarah Jane pushed the mule close to its stable mate and leaned into Titus placing her hand over his heart as tears swam in her eyes. “You have this,” she said. “This is all I want.” She finished thumping him on the chest before wheeling the mule and galloping away.
Titus watched her ride away, his heart breaking as he knew she could never be his.
Chapter 30
IF TITUS HAD THOUGHT that the discussion was over when Sarah Jane rode away he was mistaken.
More and more often she would ride with him following him along the trail as they scouted for the pass.
She seldom brought up the topic of love, but it was always there, a constant companion, a weight on both of their hearts.
“I’ve found it!” Titus exclaimed on a crisp morning. “I found the pass. It’s marked just the way Blundering Bear said it would be,” he said excitedly.
“Can we make it today?” Bill asked, holding lightly to the reins of his team. “It’d be nice to be down into the lower lands away from this cold.
He looked behind him at the boys bundled in heavy coats cuddled close to their dogs in the back of the wagon.
“I think so,” Titus said. “We’ll have to take it slow though, there are some narrow spots.”
“Let’s go then,” Bill said. “I’ve been on my way to Biders Clump for too long to turn back now.”
The first part of the pass was fairly even and the wide open spaces of the high prairie presented no obstacles, but as the pass began to descend over heavily rutted and rocky ground it became more precarious.
“We’ll need to walk for a while here,” Bill said helping the boys and Molly out of the wagon. “I’ll lead the team, and you stay back with the ropes to tie it off if you need to.
“Sarah Jane, keep the mule back there to help with the brakes if we need it,” Titus called, forgetting and using her given name in the excitement of the moment.
Sarah Jane nodded turning the
old brown mule for the back of the wagon and skirting her brothers and their yipping pups.
“Take this rope,” Molly called tossing a line to Sarah Jane as she took another in her hands and began to follow the wagon downhill.
With a jingle of harness and the creak of wood the team rattled over the broken ground. Heavy shod hooves ringing on the frozen ground.
“Take it easy up here Bill,” Titus called from his horse, as they started to make a turn around a grove of trees.
Bill pulled back on the horses but the heavy weight of the wagon behind them made them slip and skid as they tried to get a footing.
“Brake!” Bill yelled and together Sarah Jane on the mule and her mother pulled back on the ropes, but instead of slowing, a wheel caught on an outcropping of rock, and the wagon jumped sideways straight for Bill.
Titus spurred his horse forward throwing himself from the saddle and slamming into Bill, throwing him clear as the tip of the wagon box jumped, twisted and bucked straight up, its full weight taking him at the shoulders and bouncing him against the rocks.
Sarah Jane screamed as she watched Titus’s body thrown like a child’s rag doll by the careening wagon, and she urged the mule forward even as the horses gained level ground and rolled to a halt.
“Titus!” she cried, sliding from the mule and lifting his head and shoulders.
A bright trickle of blood dribbled from his forehead, and she wiped it away trying to assess his injury.
“Titus, Titus.” She sobbed, urging him to wake.
“Sarah Jane.” Her mother’s tone was sharp, like a splash of cold water and she looked up blinking. “Let me see,” her mother said more gently, pushing her daughter’s hands away.
“Mama, do something,” Sarah Jane said, tears pouring down her face.
Molly brushed the dark hair away from the injury noting the gash on Titus’s forehead.
“It doesn’t look to bad,” she said. “Bill come help us get him in the wagon.”
Together Sarah , Molly and Bill lifted Titus’s limp body into the back of the wagon and called the boys to tend the mule and horse while Sarah Jane looked after their friend.