by Clay, Verna
The group chuckled and glanced nervously at each other.
* * *
After getting her ankle wrap off the day after moving to the dorm, Sarah had been anxious to experience ranch life. She'd been given a tour of the Lazy M by Beaner with an overview of its operations. Cows were more complicated than she'd imagined. Later, she'd watched Jacob practice roping, and that same afternoon, Julie had demonstrated trick riding. In the evening, Curley had revealed secrets to preparing savory beans, fluffy cornbread, mouth watering bread pudding, and perfect lemonade. After supper, while the guests lay sprawled on couches and recliners in the great room, Newt had regaled them with stories of the Old West. Copious notes filled Sarah's journal. She had some good stuff.
Now, two days after her emancipation from convalescence, Sarah looked into the eyes of the horse in front of her and told herself, You can do this.
"Miz. Carter, this is our oldest and most gentle gelding. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He's used to inexperienced riders, so you don't need to be scared," Newt tried to reassure her.
Sarah followed his instructions and put her foot in the stirrup while he hoisted her atop Safety Blanket. She sure hoped the horse's name was an accurate depiction of his personality. She squealed and grabbed the pommel.
"Now you don't need to be so stiff. Try to relax and hold the reins."
Inhaling a calming breath, Sarah forced her muscles to relax. After a minute she felt better…and proud of her accomplishment. This was a real experience for her book.
Newt made a clicking sound and Safety Blanket started forward. Sarah's muscles tensed again and she bit her bottom lip. The horse followed Newt around the corral while he gave Sarah instructions about handling the beast. On her third circle she was getting the hang of it. She glanced toward the barn to see Sage leaning against the siding. His lips twitched and he tipped his hat. She inadvertently pulled back on the reins and the horse stopped. Okay how do I make him go again? Her brain wouldn't function clearly. Oh, yeah, nudge him with my feet. She looked up again to see Sage was gone. Thank goodness. For the next hour, Newt taught her the basics of horseback riding.
The day after her riding lesson a van that had Triple T Ranch written on the side, arrived with costumes. Mindy and Mandy spotted some saloon girl outfits and snagged them out of the hands of Jackson who was hauling them into the great room to hang on racks.
Sage called for everyone's attention, "Listen up, cowboys and cowgirls, Newt and I put together some role playing assignments and here's what we've come up with. Mindy and Mandy, you'll be saloon gals headed for San Francisco."
The girls giggled and one of them said, "Sage, you can be our first customer."
Mrs. Tully coughed and Mr. Tully patted her back.
Sage sorta looked like he smiled, but Sarah wasn't sure. He continued, "Mr. and Mrs. Hackstetter, you're farmers traveling west with your son to stake a claim on some of that free land in California."
Mrs. Hackstetter grinned and nudged her husband. Mr. Hackstetter didn't so much as crack a smile. Obviously, he didn't want to participate. Sarah watched him snarl at Jackson across the room.
The next role was given to Mr. and Mrs. Tully. "You two are hoping to strike it rich in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The wild mining town of Placerville is your final destination."
The elderly couple grinned at each other with such love that Sarah felt a pang of jealousy for their adoration.
Sage turned his attention to Sarah. "And Sarah, you're a wealthy widow hoping to start a new life in the new territory and you haven't decided on your final destination."
Sarah politely smiled and nodded.
"Okay, is everyone happy with their role? If not, speak up now." Sage waited a few seconds. "I guess that's it then. Have fun choosing your costumes. You can select two so you'll have a change of clothing. One outfit you'll wear the day we leave, the other will be packed in a trunk in your wagon." He grinned. "Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you about my role and some of the other cowboys. As I said the other night, I'm the wagon master. It's my job to get ya'll to Cali in one piece and not scalped or robbed."
Mindy and Mandy gasped and feigned shock. Everyone laughed.
Sage pointed to Jackson. "And Jackson is the hired gunslinger sworn to protect us. He's slick-as-snot with his six-shooter."
Everyone's attention shifted to Jackson as he straightened away from the wall and tipped his Stetson. Unexpectedly, he pulled his hand from an imaginary holster, shaped his index finger and thumb into a gun, and then shot with his thumb toward Mrs. Hackstetter. He mouthed the word "bang" and blew on the top of his finger as if cooling it.
The guests loved it and clapped. Sage frowned. The M girls pretended swooning.
Jackson bowed slightly. "Ladies, gents, my pleasure."
Sarah jotted notes and looked up to see Sage watching her. She quickly looked back at her notebook.
Sage said, "As for the rest of the hands, they're seasoned cowboys used to making the trek from Colorado to California. The pay is low but the company better." His grin widened. "Your costumes will help you get into character. Oh, and by the way, don't be afraid to go for the Emmy." He nodded toward the racks. "Help yourselves."
Mindy and Mandy had no trepidation about scavenging through the clothing; even Mrs. Hackstetter beelined it to the costumes. Before venturing to the racks, Sarah waited until the twins had removed brightly colored satin dresses, a red one and an orange one, and several other frilly ones, and hurried to their bedroom to try them on. Mrs. Hackstetter stood next to her. "Since I'm a farmer's wife, I don't think my outfit will be quite as eye-popping as the twins." She removed a brown muslin farmer's dress.
Sarah spotted a calico with a fitted bodice that would look nice on Mrs. Hackstetter's slim figure. "But even a farmer's wife has a Sunday-go-to-Meetin' outfit." She handed the pretty pink dress to her. "This color looks lovely with your olive complexion."
"Thank you, Sarah. We haven't had much chance to talk. Please call me Ann," she responded shyly.
Sarah liked her immediately. She had a quiet way and wasn't at all standoffish, just bashful. Mr. Hackstetter walked up behind his wife and grumbled something about the nonsense of dressing the part. Sarah didn't like him at all.
Since she was a wealthy widow, Sarah reached for a lovely, jade green, brocade outing jacket with puffed sleeves and matching walking skirt. A smooth front and pretty pleated back gave the skirt a fashionable look. She also selected a simple white Victorian blouse to wear under the jacket. She could remove the jacket if she got too warm. For her second outfit, she chose an empire waist lavender day dress with three quarter sleeves and high neckline. There were even pantaloons and camisoles. She grinned and selected a couple of those, but decided to forgo the corset. Gathering her choices, she smiled at Ann. "Guess I'll try these on." Ann smiled back and then turned her attention to her husband, trying to get him into the spirit of the adventure. Sarah figured it had taken all of her courage just to defy him by staying for the wagon train.
Chapter 13: "WESTWARD HO!"
The next day, Sarah smoothed the skirt of her brocade suit and preened in the mirror. She certainly wasn't making a fashion statement, but the outfit made her feel giddy with excitement—a real covered wagon adventure! She heard a knock and Newt called, "Wagon train's a-waitin'."
Hurrying outside, Sarah climbed into the Lazy M van being driven by Bobby Joe. She carried her tote bag full of toiletries, underwear, and a notebook. Ann Hackstetter patted the seat beside her and Sarah joined her new friend. Ann whispered, "I'm so excited! I've never done anything like this!" Sarah nodded in agreement.
Since the Triple T was only ten miles away, it didn't take long to arrive. Sage parked his truck beside the van. While he unloaded Jackel from the horse trailer, Julie and Jacob, who had ridden with him, joined the group from the van. Sarah glanced at Sage, but quickly averted her eyes when she met his gaze. She wanted to avoid him at all costs. The only reason she hadn't made haste after
their fiasco was because of her research, and the fact that she wanted to leave with no regrets—or so she'd convinced herself.
Two more trucks from the Lazy M arrived towing horse trailers. Newt and Curley got out of one, and Beaner, Ned, and Skipper got out of the other. Sarah heard Mr. Hackstetter curse and she followed his gaze. Jackson was leaning against the side of the barn. She glanced at Ann who was looking at the ground.
Sarah's attention was redirected to Sage when he called for the pioneers to follow him and his horse to the backside of the barn. Her excitement grew when she saw the covered wagons hitched to mules. Ann giggled and nudged her. Sarah giggled and nudged Ann back.
Sage motioned the pioneers forward and then climbed onto the buckboard of what looked to be a supply wagon. "Listen up, pioneers, as your wagon master, I have a few instructions before we leave. First up, however, I'd like to introduce Tommy Travis Tritt, owner of Triple T Ranch…I wonder why it's called Triple T?" The group laughed.
Tommy said a few words, and then Sage asked everyone to introduce themselves by stating their first and last names and where they were from. The introductions helped create a spirit of camaraderie among the Triple T guests and the Lazy M guests.
After introductions, Sage gave another safety spiel and then said, "Okay, next on the agenda, Newt has wagon train assignments. As you can see, each canvas is painted with a name so you can always find your home-away-from-home for the next three days."
Sarah read the names: Cali or Bust, Gold Fever, New Beginnings, Desert Dust, Six Shooter, and Wild West. The chuck wagon had the words "Chow Down" painted on it.
Sage jumped down from the buckboard and Newt climbed up, calling out assignments. The Hackstetters got Six Shooter. Mr. and Mrs. Tully ended up with Gold Fever, along with another couple about their age from the Triple T. The M twins got Wild West and their wagon mates were two young women, Holly and Lia, also from the Triple T. Sarah's wagon was New Beginnings that she shared with Julie, and a mother and her adult daughter who'd recently arrived at the Lazy M, Flo and Jill. The wagon, Desert Dust, got assigned to a family of five who'd come in the night before, Don, Robin, and their three grade school children. The last wagon, Cali or Bust, had three guys from the Triple T. Julie confided that they were stockbrokers from New York and friends of Jackson. She said they'd been participating for the past three years.
After Newt gave assignments he told the group that each wagon contained a trunk with necessities, including toilet paper and water bottles, along with their extra costumes. He stepped down and Sage jumped back on the buckboard. "Are there any questions before this train heads west?"
One of the M twins lifted her hand. Sage nodded and she said, "Just one question, Sage—where are you sleeping."
"Not to worry. I'm bedding down in the great outdoors with the rest of the cowboys. Now, before I send everyone to their wagons, I'd like to introduce our hired gunslinger, Jackson Martinez, fastest gun in the West."
The twins tittered and moved closer to the buckboard. Jackson hoisted himself up when Sage jumped down. Pushing his Stetson back and effectuating a lazy cowboy stance, he placed a hand over the butt of what looked to be a real six-shooter slung low on his hip. Lightening fast, he slipped the gun from its holster and twirled it. The crowd gasped. Using the tip of the gun to push his hat back even further, he glanced pointedly at everyone.
"God, he's good," Ann whispered to Sarah. Sarah had to agree. He was completely in character.
He drawled, "Listen up, pioneers, this train to Cali departs in fifteen minutes. Travel is long and danger is high. My job is to see that ya'll make it to the new frontier in one piece. Along the way, we might have to fend off banditos or Indians. Just keep in mind you're headed for adventure and new beginnings. I'll do my damndest to keep ya'll safe." He twirled his gun again and holstered it in one smooth movement.
Sarah looked at the M girls holding their cheeks and feigning vapors. Her gaze was drawn past them to Sage. He was looking at her. For a second she couldn't draw her eyes away and her heart slammed her ribs. She forced herself to turn toward Ann. Ann was looking at Jackson with such longing that Sarah blinked. When she blinked again, the expression was gone and she wondered if she'd imagined it. Then she heard grumpy Mr. Hackstetter mumble something about "getting the show on the road." Sarah felt sorry for Ann.
After Jackson hopped off the buckboard, Sage instructed the pioneers to familiarize themselves with their wagons. Sarah told Ann, "We'll get together later and compare notes." Ann grinned and nodded.
Sarah had to walk by Sage to get to her wagon.
"Hello Sarah, did you bring your notepad?" His smile made butterflies go wild in her stomach.
"I did." She rushed past him and reached her wagon before her traveling companions.
Ned already stood beside the two mules harnessed to her wagon. "Howdy, Miz Carter. I'll be drivin' you west. Let me help you up."
"Thank you, Ned." Lifting her skirt, she grabbed hold of a side handle and placed her foot on the buckboard."
She heard Sage's voice behind her and felt hands on her waist. "I've got her, Ned." Clumsily, she plopped onto the wooden seat and looked down at Sage. His turquoise eyes and devastating grin tripped her heart rhythm again, which made her mad. Primly, she said, "Thank you," and turned to look inside the wagon, hoping he would just go away.
"Anytime, Mims," he said low.
Sarah turned an icy stare on him.
He only laughed and walked to the next wagon to help its occupants.
Thirty minutes later, all the pioneers were in place and anxious to move out. Cowboys sat in the wagon seats ready to drive the mules.
Sage rode Jackel around the ring of wagons, glancing over each one before stopping beside the chuck wagon. In a loud voice, he yelled, "WESTWARD HO!" Curley slapped the reins of the mules pulling Chow Down and the wagon lunged forward. In turn, the other cowboys followed suit. Sarah's wagon was fifth in line and she jerked backward when the mules clopped forward. Julie, sitting on the trunk behind her, giggled, and held her upright. Flo and Jill were perched at the back of the wagon with their legs dangling outside. Sarah heard Jill say, "Mom, I'm so glad you talked me into coming!"
Sarah asked Julie, "Do you ever get tired of doing this?"
"No, never. It's my favorite time of summer."
Following a well maintained dirt road, Sarah enjoyed the change in countryside from rolling pastures to hills of dense trees.
Around eleven, Sage halted the wagons in a clearing and waved the drivers into a circle. Ned helped her down while Julie, Jill, and Flo jumped from the back of the wagon. The pioneers stretched and gravitated toward each other in groups, grinning and sharing their adventure. With notebook in hand, Sarah listened and scribbled. She was getting first hand accounts of not only physical complaints, but emotional exhilarations. Good stuff.
Curley and some of the hands started a fire in the center of camp and hung a huge cast iron pot over it. Giant cans of beans were opened and dumped into the pot. Curley whipped up cornbread and baked it over the fire. By noon, the pioneers were feasting on beans, cornbread, and corn on the cob. By two o'clock they were back in their wagons waiting for Sage's shout.
"WESTWARD HO!" he yelled, and the drivers slapped their mules again. About an hour later, Jackson came galloping toward the wagons waving his hat and shouting, "Circle the wagons! Circle the wagons! Take cover! Take cover!"
Sitting atop Jackel, Sage whipped off his Stetson and frantically waved the wagons into a circle. Everyone got into the spirit of the adventure. Sarah's heart raced with excitement. Obviously, this was a continuation of the act Sage and Jackson had put on during lunch in which Sage had loudly ordered his hired gun to ride ahead and scout out Indian Territory. The scene had included Jackson making a show of tipping his hat to all the ladies before mounting his horse and galloping away.
Sage yelled, "Women and children take cover behind Desert Dust. Men, grab your weapons from Newt at the back of Chow Down."
Newt had opened a chest from which he pulled out plastic rifles. Barely suppressing grins, the pioneers followed orders. Sarah saw Mr. Hackstetter rushing for a rifle with Jacob right behind him. Maybe there was hope for him.
Within minutes, the men had positioned themselves behind their wagons while the women and children huddled together. Sarah heard the pounding of hooves surrounding the circle of wagons. She also heard Indians whooping and cowboys hollering, mixed with small popping sounds from toy guns. Sage yelled, "We need all the help we can get! Women, children, grab a rifle from Newt and take aim!"
Sarah ran to Newt and he winked when he handed her a plastic rifle. Flo, Jill, and Ann were right behind her. The M and M beauties feigned having the vapors again and the three stockbrokers rushed to assist them.
Sara positioned herself at the wheel of her wagon. Several Indian braves ran toward the wagons on foot. She took aim, but couldn't bring herself to pull the trigger—not even playacting. From the sound of gun pops, the other pioneers had no such trepidation.
Suddenly, a magnificent Indian wearing buckskin breeches, buckskin vest, war paint on his face and chest, and a large headdress of white and red feathers, charged into view. Sage yelled, "Cease fire!" and the toy guns stopped popping. She watched him step from the protection of Gold Fever and out into the open. Her heart pounded. What was happening?
He approached the Indian on foot. The lean man jumped from his horse and ran to embrace Sage. Sarah heard one of the pioneers say, "What the hell is…" before his wife interrupted. "Don, the children are present! Watch your language!"
"Sorry," he replied sheepishly.
By this time, all the pioneers were crowded against the wagon closest to Sage and the Indian. Sage turned and yelled, "We've been spared our lives. This is my half brother, Chief Talking Bull. We have the same father. We were separated at the age of fifteen. Fate has intervened to save us." He motioned Chief Talking Bull and his braves inside the camp. More playacting ensued.