by Carré White
“It’s something to discuss. Going off into the mountains should be a last resort.” He muttered, “It’s dangerous out there.”
“I find it exciting.” The fields on either side of the road bloomed; the weeds looked like miniature sunflowers. “I wish I could be a part of the hunting party.”
“You’re a good shot, Saffron,” said pa. “That much is true. They’d do well to have you, but I doubt they’d be too keen on a woman tagging along.”
I sighed, knowing this to be true. “I still wish.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere near that animal.” Amelia clutched her shawl. “What if it tries to kill us? What will we do, Pa?”
“We need to secure the windows later. I’ll make another plank for the door, like a second lock of sorts. It’s all I can think of at the moment.”
“And keep the weapons at the ready,” said Tom. “I’m sleeping with my rifle.”
The wagon trundled along, the wheels finding rocks and ruts. Our mare, Bonnie’s tail swooshed from side-to-side, while Deer Runner and his friend, Micah Blaylock, followed. I cast a glance over my shoulder, staring at him, but it seemed he had already been looking my way. Embarrassed, I turned forward, determined not to look back again.
Not far from town, our farm of nearly two hundred acres stood in the middle of Fern Valley, with grazing land for the animals and crops such as barley, wheat, and alfalfa. Tack barns and stalls for the draft horses spotted the landscape, along with a milk house, smokehouse, and a blacksmith’s forge. Our ranch hands, Wilber Ross and Sky Verlander slept in a small bunkhouse near the barn, but they had gone to town today, having Sunday free to do as they pleased. Living beneath the alpine tundra, we were able to keep an abundant kitchen garden, which Amelia and I tended, but, with winter approaching, we would have to preserve the excess vegetables in jars and store them in the larder soon enough.
The house had been my mother’s pride and joy and a labor of love, because she had waited nearly a year for all the building supplies to arrive, including the furnishings. The shingle style home featured a wide porch that ran around a two-story turret. My mother had come from money, inheriting a fortune from her grandmother, but, as rumor had it, the family disapproved of pa, not wanting her to marry him. Her stubborn streak won out, and she ran away with pa, essentially turning her back on her family and their wealth and connections. I had therefore never met my grandparents or aunts and uncles, wondering about people who were in my bloodline, but were complete strangers.
Our maid, Lucy, met us at the door, smiling and waving. “We have guests, I see.”
Tom jumped from the wagon, hurrying to help Amelia down. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Yes, pa went and invited some folks for breakfast.”
“I thought the Heffermans might join you.”
That was my thought too. “No, unfortunately.” My brother helped me alight. “Thank you.” Tom dashed into the house without another word, while pa freed the mare, leading her to the barn. Deer Runner and Micah Blaylock went with him. I glanced at Amelia. “I’m quite annoyed about that. I wanted to talk to Silas.”
“I’m sure you’ll see him soon enough.”
“At the funeral tomorrow.” I scowled. “That’s hardly conducive to conversation.”
“I’m not happy about it either. There will be several funerals now with the death of the Goldmans.”
Lucy overheard that. “What did you say, Amelia? Has there been more news? I knew I should’ve gone to church.” She limped then, reaching for the door. Having injured herself in a tumble down the stairs a few days ago, she lacked mobility. “This stupid leg.”
“I hope you haven’t been standing on it all morning,” said Amelia. “You need to go sit. Right this minute.”
My sister and I had taken over the added chores, helping our maid as much as possible. “Does it hurt still?”
“I was sitting. I’m fine.” She hobbled into the parlor, grimacing with each step. “You girls shouldn’t fuss over me. I should fuss over you.”
A sober portrait of my mother hung over the fireplace. “We will until you’re well,” I said. “We can’t expect you to work as you did before now that you’ve hurt yourself.”
“What news of the Goldmans? What’s happened?”
“There’s been another attack,” said Amelia. “The family … they perished.”
Lucy grasped the high, white collar around her neck. “No.”
I nodded. “It’s all anyone’s talking about. Join us for brunch, and pa will discuss it further. He invited Deer Runner and someone by the name of Micah Blaylock. Please don’t be alarmed by Deer Runner’s looks. He’s known to pa and everyone else in Fern Valley. He’s a friend of the settlers.”
“I’ve seen him before. I don’t fear the natives in the least. It’s the wild beasts roaming around that give me a fright.”
“Let’s put the food on the table,” I said, removing my bonnet and leaving it on an upholstered chair. “They’ll be here any minute.” Both the natives and the animals were cause for concern in my book. One could never be too careful.
“Don’t trouble yourself, Lucy. We can manage this.” Amelia strode through the parlor to the kitchen, as we followed. “Saffron and I have it all in hand.”
Amelia and I had made Eggs Benedict with toasted muffins and ham. I had set the table before we left for church, anticipating Silas would join us. We had been courting for nearly a year now, but, because I had been in mourning, we had agreed to wait before making any further commitments, so he had not asked for my hand in marriage yet. Also, he needed to ask pa first, and, as of yet, that had not occurred.
It wasn’t long before everyone had gathered around the table, poor Lucy hobbling about on her good leg, while pa held the chair for her. “Thank you, Mr. Fossett.”
“I hope you get better soon, young lady, or I’ll have to take you to town and have Doc Walker look at you.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s just a sore muscle, is all.” She nodded at our guests. “I’m so clumsy. I had a fall on the stairs a few days ago.”
I sat next to Amelia, with Deer Runner and Micah at the other end of the table. Pa and Tom were on either side. “Let’s pray,” said pa. “Our heavenly father, please bless this food we’re about to eat. Keep us safe from harm and guide us in all things, so we may better serve you. Please help the McAllisters in this time of grief and pray for the Goldman family. Amen.”
“Amen,” I murmured. I opened my eyes to find Micah Blaylock staring at me, which struck me as peculiar. I could not fathom why, but I seemed to have garnered his attention.
“The girls said something about another attack,” said Lucy, reaching for a spoon. “What’s happened now?”
“That’s hardly suitable for a brunch discussion, Lucy.” Pa poured a glass of apple cider. “Would you like some cider?” He held up the pitcher, glancing at Deer Runner.
“Yes, thank you kindly.”
Everyone took a helping of the poached eggs, which sat upon a slice of ham over a toasted muffin. I had made enough for two servings a piece, cutting into my portion and chewing.
“How are you acquainted with Deer Runner, Micah?” asked Tom. “I’ve never seen you around here before.”
“I’ve known him for years,” he said, sliding a knife through a portion of egg.
“Micah’s a trapper.” Deer Runner grinned warmly, which wrinkled his face. Years’ worth of sun exposure had weathered his features. “He’s been trapping around these parts since forty-nine.”
“Didn’t you work the Santa Fe trail too?” asked pa.
Micah nodded. “My pa and I did the Bent’s Old Fort run before the place was destroyed. I get work wherever I can.”
“Maybe we’re all in the wrong business,” said Tom. “There are rumors of gold in Clear Creek, but nobody seems to want to talk about it much. Men get wild with talk of gold.”
“Exactly why I won’t be joining the insanity.” Pa had firm beliefs on this topic. “Farming
is far healthier for a man and his family. It’s better than panning for gold in the hopes of a fast dollar. Even if they do find gold in abundance, it’ll eventually run out, but not before many die of greed and stupidity.”
Deer Runner nodded. “Seen quite a few good men go down that way.”
I had wanted to ask about the incident with the Goldman family, but I waited until after everyone had eaten, the men excusing themselves to go out for a smoke. I joined them on the front porch, standing, as they had taken the only available chairs.
Micah got to his feet. “Please, Miss Fossett. Have my seat.”
“That’s all right. I’d rather stand. It’s just Saffron.”
His gaze drifted over me. “Saffron.” He sat again, eyeing me with consideration, which felt slightly unnerving.
A gust of wind blew a tendril of hair loose, flinging auburn locks into my face. “What about the Goldman family, Pa? What do we do now? It seems we’re not safe.” I slid the offending hair back and secured it.
“Much as I don’t want to, I’ll have to board the first floor windows. We’ll remain indoors at night. I don’t anticipate a problem in the least. I suspect there’s more we don’t know about the particulars of each attack.”
Lucy had joined us, overhearing that last bit. “The family is gone? Every one of them?”
“It seems that way,” I said. “It’s rather shocking. I’d like to know more of what happened.” I glanced at Deer Runner. “Do you know anything?”
Pursing his lips, he seemed reluctant. “Yes.”
“What is it?”
“I saw it with my own eyes. A bear attacked them. My opinions matter little hereabouts, but I say the animal’s gone rabid.” He shook his head. “Bears don’t kill like that. It’s not … normal.”
“Then we should hunt it down and shoot it,” said Tom.
“In good time.” Pa got to his feet, his jaw firmly set. “This business sits ill with me. Roaming around the woods looking for this creature is foolhardy.”
“We bring it here,” said Deer Runner. “Bait it. That shouldn’t be all that hard. Then we kill it.”
“It’s already here,” said Amelia, who had joined us. “It’s killing people in their homes. How shall I sleep tonight knowing some creature is lurking in the shadows? How will any of us feel secure now?”
“Don’t trouble yourself so,” said pa. “Tom and I will keep you safe. You’re no shrinking wallflower yourself, my dear. You handle a weapon as well as any of us.” His gaze drifted over me. “But Saffron’s especially adept. She’s the best shot I’ve ever seen.”
He had complimented me greatly, and I felt a mixture of embarrassment and pride at this declaration. “Oh, stop that. Hardly. I shoot effectively enough.”
“Better than most men. Stop being so modest.”
Tom grumbled, “I disagree. I’m better than her, Pa.”
“I haven’t practiced in ages. I might’ve been good once.” I shrugged.
“And she’s far too humble,” said Amelia, grinning.
Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. “Someone comes.” For a moment, I thought perhaps the creature that had murdered all those people had stepped onto the road; howsoever, it wasn’t a bear at all, but several men on horseback. “It’s the sheriff.”
“I’ve been expecting him.” Pa squinted into the distance. “Your eyesight’s so much better than mine, Saffron. I see blurs.”
“And the deputy and the doctor,” I said. “They’re all coming here.”
“I’ve some sarsaparilla and ice tea,” said Lucy. “We should offer them refreshment.”
“I’ll help you.” Amelia went to the door, while I stared at the approaching men, feeling a sense of disquiet. They would discuss the murders. They had come because they wanted pa’s help—but would he offer it?
Chapter Three
Amelia and I sat on the landing, listening to the men talking in the parlor. Pa felt a hunting party should be the last resort, preferring to bait the animal in town first, capture it, and shoot it. Everyone agreed to this plan, but it could not be implemented until after the funerals had taken place, out of respect to the victims and their families, who had suffered so.
That evening, after everyone had gone, I sat on the bed undoing my hair, while Amelia hummed to herself, changing into her nightclothes. She glanced at me. “What do you think of Micah Blaylock?”
“I don’t think of him at all.” That had been a tiny fib, because I had wondered where he came from and where he lived now.
“He’s handsome.”
“Hardly.” I snorted. “What about him do you find handsome, Amelia? Could you see anything under all that hair?”
“He has kind and expressive eyes.”
I chuckled, “If you say so.”
“He stared at you a great deal.”
“I have no idea why.” My fingers worked through tangles. A loud pounding noise brought my attention to the door. “They should be finished with the boards by now.”
“Goodness, it’s dreadful.” Amelia sat on the bed, facing me. “We won’t be able to see a thing out the windows now. I wonder how long we’ll have to live like this?”
“Until the danger’s passed. I do hope Wilber and Sky are safe in the bunkhouse.”
“It only has one small window. That’s been boarded up and the door fortified. I’m sure they’ll be fine. I hope whatever’s been attacking people goes away. Perhaps, it’s already dead? If the creature’s rabid, it shall die soon enough.”
“True.”
“What do you think of the plan to bait and kill it?”
“It’s a wise idea. Pa’s good sense can always be relied upon. Going into the mountains is a last resort.” But what an exciting adventure that would be!
“I have to use the privy.”
“So do I, but I’m not certain we’re allowed. We might have to find the chamber pot. Ma had it in the closet, from what I remember.”
She made a face. “No. One quick trip outside can’t harm anyone. We’ll bring a lantern and a rifle. I really don’t want to use the chamber pot.”
“I’ll go with you.” I slid from the bed, placing my feet in slippers. “Let’s hurry before anyone’s the wiser.”
Lucy had gone to bed already, but pa and Tom were awake, talking in the parlor. Several lamps glowed with yellowish light, casting shadows into the corners of the rooms. My mother brought in furniture and rugs from back east, the house feeling rather luxurious and cozy. We were one of the better off families in the community; only the Heffermans were wealthier, because they owned the livery, the mercantile, and the hotel. I had grown up with many advantages, never having starved or suffered, as had so many in these parts. The most difficult experience of my life had been the wagon train, traveling for three months through harsh conditions, but we had persevered.
In the kitchen, my sister reached for the lantern, while I lifted a rifle from hooks on the wall. “We won’t dally,” she said. “I’ll go first.” She threw up a board that secured the door. “What an ordeal. I’m looking forward to this ending soon.” Then she removed the second board. “I’m not sure this is really necessary. We’ve never seen or heard a thing on our property. West of town is where all the incidences occurred. Didn’t the Goldmans live near the creek?”
“Yes.” I grasped the door. “Let’s go now, before pa sees us. Then we’ll be forced to use the chamber pot.”
“That’s all the encouragement I need.” My sister dashed from the house, bounding down the wooden steps to a pathway that led through the kitchen garden and further.
I held the rifle firmly, following closely, while gazing around. “It’s very quiet tonight.” There might have been one cricket chirping from the grass, but nothing else made noise. The moon glowed in the distance, barely clearing the edge of the mountaintop. “Hurry up.”
Amelia flung open the privy door, the aroma of human waste lingering. “I’ll make this fast.” She hung the lante
rn on a rusted hook and closed the door, the hinges creaking.
I glanced nervously into the darkness. The whiny of a horse came from the stables, while the gentle lowing of the cows in the pasture echoed into the night. I felt a slight chill, but it wasn’t cold enough to produce a shiver.
When Amelia emerged, she grinned. “Your turn.”
“Move aside, please.” Slipping past her, I entered the tiny room, hurrying to do my business. I did not want to linger outdoors any longer than necessary, and I worried pa would yell at us, if he knew we had defied him.
“Hurry up.”
“I’m trying.” When I finished, I stepped from the latrine, closing the door behind me. “Lead the way.” I gave her the lantern.
“It’s so quiet now.”
“It was quiet before,” I whispered, while a tingle ran down my spine. The wind gusted briefly, sending clouds before the moon, blocking the small amount of light it provided. “Let’s go fast!” I rushed by her, my feet wanting to sprint.
“Wait for me!”
We weren’t more than three feet apart, running down an often-used path, past the gated garden. Fear had gotten the better of us, but with good reason. I had nearly reached the door when a noise shattered the quiet, the sound so startling, I stopped where I was, but I held the door open for Amelia, who darted into the house.
“What was that?” she asked, her eyes widening. “That sounded like a growl.”
Rushing inside, I all but flung the rifle at the wall and grasped a wood plank, placing it across the door, creating a barrier to whatever had been outside. “I don’t know.” The sound had come from some distance, but it remained imperative we lock ourselves in securely. “I think it’s best we don’t go out again tonight.”
“Do you think it was the creature?”
I shrugged. “I’ve no idea. Let’s go to bed.”
“Are we safe here?” She looked panicky, her eyes alight with fear.
“I believe so. All the downstairs windows are boarded. The doors are secure. We’re armed to the teeth. We should be fine.”