Drina’s Choice

by Agnes Alexander

  Brit looked directly at her. “What set him off, Lottie? Did you say something to make him sore?”

  “I may have.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, he kept ranting and raving about that because Aaron Wilcox was still alive and I got tired of listening to him. I told him I was glad he was alive because he was a good customer and he was a step up from him and his boys. That’s when he hit me.”

  Brit chuckled. “You are fiery sometimes, aren’t you, sweetheart?”

  She smiled, but made sure he saw it was painful for her. “When you’re in the business I’m in, you can’t afford not to be fiery, Brit.”

  “Doc said you mentioned Wilcox to him, too.”

  She nodded. “I didn’t trust what Cleg told me. I knew the doc would know the straight of it. I was just curious to know if I was about to lose one of my best customers. Doc said he was still sick, but he was going to live. That’s all I wanted to know, but Doc said he was going to tell him I asked about him. I hope he forgets.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Well, if his wife was to overhear the doctor she might be like some of the wives who won’t allow their husbands to visit the Swinging Door. That wouldn’t only hurt my business, but it’d hurt the other girls, too.”

  Brit frowned. “I thought he only came for you.”

  She laughed. “I think I’m his favorite, but sometimes I’d be busy. He never hesitated to take one of the other girls. We all liked him and appreciated his generosity.”

  “I see.” Brit stood, walked over to the bed and took her hand. “You’re a good woman, Lottie. Now, don’t worry about a thing. Forget about Wilcox and concentrate on getting well. I’ll see you’re not going to have to contend with Cleg Keller any time soon. I’ll see about putting Milly to work to make up for our loss.”

  “Thank you, Brit.” She smiled up at him. “You know you’re one of my favorites, too and it won’t be long until I can show you.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’ll see you in a couple of days, sweetheart.”

  After Brit left, Lottie lay on her bed wondering why he’d visited her. It had to have something to do with Aaron Wilcox being shot. She just couldn’t figure out what; but she felt compelled to do something. Then, a plan formed in her mind.

  As soon as she was sure Brit was out of earshot, she wiggled to the back of the bed close to the wall that separated her room from Milly’s. She knocked three times, their signal when they wanted to let the other know they needed help.

  In a minute, the door opened and Milly walked in. “What’s up?”

  “I need for you to do something for me.”

  “What?”

  “In the morning, I want you to go to the livery stable and rent a buggy. We have somewhere to go, and nobody can know.”

  “Lottie, you’re in no condition to go anywhere tomorrow. Now, get still and take care of yourself.”

  “This is important, Milly. We have to do it.”

  “How are we going to get out of The Swinging Door without Hal knowing?”

  “Don’t worry your head about it. I’ve got it all figured out.”

  “And?”

  “I’ll let you in on it tomorrow.”

  “But, Lottie…”

  “That’s enough for now. I’ll see you in the morning after you’ve rented the buggy.”

  “What am I supposed to do with the buggy when I rent it?”

  “Park it in the back of the saloon and come up the back stairs. I’ll be ready.”

  “Ready for what, Lottie?”

  “Never mind. You’ll find out in the morning.” Lottie settled down in bed. “Good night, Milly. Sleep well.”

  A confused-looking Milly left without asking any more questions.

  Chapter 10

  Win stirred the stew he’d made from some of the beef Beulah had brought him. The weather had turned colder and winter was settling in fast. He had a good fire going in his pot-bellied stove and he was looking forward to a hot meal. He knew he hadn’t been eating as he should for the last few months, but that little problem with his stomach seemed to keep him from getting hungry. He thought it was just his age, because as far as he could figure out, he was almost eighty-three years old. Not many people reached that age without having a few aches and pains.

  There was a sudden unfamiliar noise outside and he frowned. Laying his big wooden spoon aside, he went to the door and lifted the bar from the brackets. He reached for his rifle and stepped out on the porch.

  “Who’s out here?” he demanded.

  “Look, boys. The old hermit is coming out to greet us.” Cleg Keller stomped up on the porch and grabbed the rifle from the old man.

  “Who’re you?” Win stared at the man.

  “Why, we’re your neighbors from down the valley. We’re the Kellers. I’m Cleg and these are my boys, Eli and Art.”

  The boys came on the porch. “Hey, Pa. somethin’ inside shore smells good.”

  “It shore does, Eli. Let’s go eat.” Art pushed Win aside and went into the cabin.

  Eli followed. He grabbed the bowl Win had put on the table and began slopping stew into it.

  Jerking out a chair, Art put the pot on the table and began dipping in it with a spoon. “This is good, Pa. Come and have some.”

  “I think I will.” Cleg came in and snatched a bowl from the shelf above the table. “Fill this up.”

  “You people get out of my house. You’ve got no right here.”

  Cleg took his gun out of his holster and pointed it at Win. “Listen, old man, this here says we have a right to be anywhere we want to be. Tonight, we’re cold and hungry, and we want to be right here in this warm cabin eating this hot stew.”

  “I say you ain’t got no right in my house.”

  “Just shoot him and get it over with, Pa. You know the boss wants us to kill him, so why wait?” Eli put another big spoonful of stew in his mouth.

  Art interrupted. “Hey, look what I see on that shelf over there.” He jumped up and grabbed the bottle of whiskey Beulah had surprised Win with.“Ain’t but a few swallers of it gone.”

  “That’s mine!” Win yelled.

  “Shut up, old man.” Cleg raised his leg and kicked Win in the stomach.

  The old man crumpled on the floor.

  “Drag him outta here, Eli. It’s gonna get mighty cold and the signs say it might snow tonight. I think I’d rather let the old bastard freeze to death than shoot him. I want to see how stiff his body is in the morning.”

  Art laughed. “Why can’t I do it?

  “’Cause you batched the job when you was supposed to kill Wilcox. Go on with him, Eli.”

  Art crossed his arms. “Well, if I can’t kill him, I want to see him froze to death. It would be fun if we used a freezed up old man as a paddle to get up and down the creek to check his fur traps.”

  “Yeah, that’d be fun.” Cleg let out a sinister laugh. “Them furs will bring a right good price in this weather. Now, pass me that bottle.”

  Eli left with Win and in a few minutes returned. “I throwed him down the bank toward the creek. Just to be shore he didn’t get up again, I busted his head with the butt of my gun.”

  Cleg hit him on the back with his open hand. “You done good, boy. Your pa’s proud of you and the boss will be, too. Putting the old man’s body on Wilcox’s back porch tomorrow night will give ’em all the willies.”

  “I just do what needs to be done,” Eli laughed.

  “We both do, Pa,” Art said with his mouth full.

  “I know you try to, even if you fail sometimes. But things is gonna work out, even if you didn’t kill Wilcox. We’ll see him dead yet, even if’n we have to wait till this is done. Now, both of you have a drink.”

  Art took the bottle and drank. “Wonder who give this to him. It’s too good to waste on an old man who should’ve died years ago.”

  Eli took a swig when the bottle was passed to him. “I bet nobody give it to him. I figure he st
oled it.”

  They all stomped and hooted and cursed and passed the bottle around again.

  * * * *

  Win felt cold down to his brittle bones. His left hip and shoulder were throbbing, but he knew if he didn’t get off the ground soon, he’d not be able to get up. It took all the strength the old man could muster to get to his knees. Gasping, he closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and pushed as hard as he could. Finally, he managed to get to his feet.

  Grabbing the trunk of a small sapling, he pulled himself forward. It was slow going, but he managed to get to the top of the bank. “I’m thankful he pushed me down where it weren’t so steep,” He muttered.

  He spied a limb about three feet long and picked it up. He decided it’d do as a cane. Glancing toward the cabin he was smart enough to know there was no way he could get back inside with the three of them planning to stay the night. He was mad, but he knew he couldn’t let his anger make him do something foolish. He had to get away before they came outside again. He knew they’d kill him for sure if they saw he’d survived.

  Having lived among the Indians and at different places in the mountains and on the plains, he knew how to move silently. Even being hurt, he didn’t make a sound as he began to move slowly away from the cabin.

  Though it was a long way, the closest place was the Wilcox place. He might not make it, but he was going to give it a try because he didn’t know what else to do. He realized he was an old man, but he wasn’t ready to die.

  * * * *

  Drina was about to doze off when she felt pressure on her hand. Her eyes flew open and she looked at Aaron. His eyes were open and he was gazing at her. She tried to pull her hand away, but he held on.

  “Your hand is comforting. Don’t take it away.”

  “I was…I mean…”

  “You don’t have to explain. It was thoughtful of you to hold my hand while I slept. I’m sure it made me sleep better.”

  She blushed. “I wasn’t trying to imply…I mean…”

  “It’s all right, Drina.” He squeezed her hand and then let it go. “Thank you for doing it anyway. I just hope you’ll do it sometime when I’m awake and know it.”

  She busied herself by straightening his already-straight covers. “How are you feeling?”

  “A little better. The sleep did me good.”

  She watched as he took a breath and turned his head so she couldn’t see his face. “You’re trying to disguise your pain, aren’t you?”

  “I’m not hurting very badly.”

  “Don’t try to hide it from me, Aaron. I’ve tended enough sick people to know when a patient is hurting.”

  “Are you a nurse?”

  “No, but sometimes the neighbors in Georgia would come get me to help with their sick when they couldn’t afford a doctor, much less a nurse.”

  “Tell me about your life in Georgia.”

  “I thought I told you everything you needed to know in the letter I sent applying to be your wife.”

  “If you’ll be honest with me, I’ll be honest with you.”

  She wasn’t sure what he meant. “I was honest in the letter.”

  “I’m sure you were. There’s one problem though.”

  “What?”

  He almost grinned. “I didn’t read your letter.”

  She stared at him. He eyes showed how confused she was. “Why not?”

  “Because my Uncle Walter Wilcox handled everything. He read all the letters and made the decision of who I was going to marry. I knew I had no choice in the matter so I didn’t bother to find out anything about you except that you were willing to marry me.” When she kept staring at him, he added, “Now, I realize what a mistake I made by not taking more interest in my future wife.”

  After several minutes of silence, she asked, “What do you want to know about me?”

  “Uncle Walter told me you lived with your father. Tell me about him.”

  “My father was a mean man. He drank a lot and he didn’t care for his daughters. I lived with him because I didn’t have anywhere else to go until I answered your ad for a wife.”

  “You said you had two sisters. Do you have any brothers?”

  “No brothers. My oldest sister, Lydia is married. And the baby, Hannah is living with an aunt, but she’s not happy there.”

  “Why not? Does she want to go back home to her father?”

  “Heavens, no. She’d never go back to him even if he’d let her, which I’m sure he wouldn’t. She’s not happy with Aunt Verbena because the woman keeps her hidden away most of the time. She’s ashamed of Hannah’s deformed foot. My sister spends a lot of time sewing because it’s something she likes to do and she’s good at it. Aunt Verbena insists she make clothes for her and all her friends. She only lets Hannah make herself one dress every couple of years or so.” Drina gave him a sad smile. “I don’t know how she did it, but when she learned I’d accepted your proposal, she slipped around and made me a wedding dress. I don’t know if our aunt ever found out or not.”

  “What would she do if she did find out?”

  “Punish Hannah.”

  “How would she do that?”

  “Put her in a room upstairs and keep her wheelchair downstairs.”

  He frowned. “You mean Hannah can’t walk?”

  “She was born with a withered left foot. She’s never been able to walk, but it doesn’t matter. She’s one of the sweetest people on earth. She’s seventeen now, and she’s an accomplished seamstress and she never complains and…”

  “Wait. I didn’t mean to criticize your sister. I’m only curious.”

  She relaxed. “I guess I’m a little sensitive where Hannah’s concerned. Few people appreciate the special person she is; most of all Pa and Aunt Verbena. Lydia and I do what we can, but our aunt says she won’t take care of Hannah if we interfere. That’s why I asked that you be willing to help with her care when I married you. I want to hire a nurse or somebody who will see she’s taken care of properly.”

  “Why won’t your father help?”

  “He hates all his daughters. Especially Hannah. Ma died soon after she was born, and Pa says daughters are not worth the food it takes to raise them. He’ll tell anybody who’ll listen that he wishes the baby had died instead of being born crippled. He gave Hannah to Ma’s sister when he realized she’d never walk. She’s lived in Savannah with Aunt Verbena ever since.”

  He shook his head. “I sure made a bad mistake.”

  She frowned. “What mistake?”

  “I should have read your letter.”

  Her frown turned to a smile. “If you want to know anything else, just ask me. You said we were going to be honest, remember?”

  “I remember, and I’m sure I’m going to have more questions, but right now I really would like to have a cup of coffee.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Do you think I might be able to get one?”

  She stood. “I don’t see why not.”

  He reached out and took her hand. “There’s one more thing.”

  “You’re not getting steak and potatoes. Your stomach couldn’t handle it.”

  He chuckled. “I wasn’t going to ask for that, but since you mentioned…”

  “Aaron Wilcox. You’re a sick man.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it. Now, what I was going to ask was that you tell Salty I need to see him. There’s something he needs to handle for me.”

  “I’ll find him.”

  “Thank you, not only for getting Salty and the coffee, but for being so open and honest with me.”

  “You had a right to know.” She smiled at him and left the room.

  * * * *

  Salty came through the bedroom door with a cup of coffee in each hand. “I hear they’s a man in here who wants this.”

  Aaron looked up at his friend. “I do.”

  Salty handed him coffee, then sat in the rocking chair near the bed.

  “I see you decided to have a coffee with me.”

  “I sh
ore did, Boss. I didn’t think it would be very polite of you to lay there in that bed and drink Beulah’s good coffee and make me watch without having any myself.”

  Aaron took a swallow of the hot liquid and said without preamble, “I have a job for you to do for me, Salty.”

  “You know I’ll do anything I can while you’re laid up. I guess you want the cows moved to the winter pasture.”

  “Of course I do, but that’s not what this is about.” He took another drink. “This is something I want to do for my wife.”

  Salty frowned. “What in the world do you want to do for her?”

  “First, I’ve got to know if you’ll do it.”

  “Of course I will. I like Miz Drina.” Salty frowned. “But I’ve got to ask why would you want to do somethin’ for her? You act as if you don’t even like her.”

  “Maybe a man can change his mind.”

  “Don’t hand me that crap. I know you was gettin’ ready to head to the saloon when you was shot.”

  “How did you know?”

  “When I went into the barn I saw the mare had been doctored and put up in a stall. Your horse had the saddle blanket on her back and the saddle was laying in the barn floor where you dropped it when you was hit with them bullets.”

  “Maybe I had somewhere else to go.”

  “No, you didn’t.” Salty shook his head. “You know nobody on this ranch except maybe Beulah knows your habits better than me.”

  Aaron shrugged, then grimaced.

  “Are you all right?”

  “No, Salty. I’m hurting. My body feels like it’s about to explode. In a little while I’m going to be in so much pain they’ll pour more of that laudanum down my throat. When they do, I’ll probably pass out for the rest of the night.”

  “I’m sorry, Aaron. But I can’t help being suspicious of why you want to do something special for your wife.”

  “She’s been awfully good to me since I’ve been hurt, Salty.” He looked away. “I know I don’t deserve her attention, but I like it and I’m grateful she’s giving it to me. I just want to do something for her.”

  “You’re not going to send me to Hatchet Springs to buy more material, are you? I ain’t never seen anybody as happy as she was over a piece of cloth.”