by Carré White
“They won’t stop until they bring all the bodies home. You know that. The families demand the bodies for a proper burial.”
“Yes, they do.” I stuck another clothespin into a square cloth. “I’d want that too. I just worry, is all. There are things in those woods … ” I shuddered, fighting off an unwanted image … “that are dangerous.”
“Let me help you. You shouldn’t move that arm.”
“I’ve learned how to do everything with just one.” I forced a smile, wishing I felt better about the situation, but I would not until my father and my love returned. They had been gone a little over a week now, and it tore at my mind, knowing how fraught with danger such a trek could be. Micah was mad to do this, and I had begged him not to, yet he insisted on it.
“You look like you’re about to cry.” She took a pair of trousers from my hand. “Go make a pot of tea. Have a rest.”
“Why aren’t they back yet?” A festering bubble of panic swelled and popped within me. “What could possibly be taking this long?”
“They’re looking for the bodies. They have mules and things, and it’s slow work. Try not to think about it. We’ve been keeping ourselves nice and busy. The house is marvelous again. The new wallpaper is rather beautiful, if I do say so myself. You’ve been so strong, Saffron. You’ll see Micah again. Pa will bring him home. He adores your beau almost as much as Tom and I do.” She smiled kindly. “It’s going to be all right.”
“I wish I could stop thinking about everything. If they were here now, we could have the funerals and grieve. I hate waiting. Every minute feels like an eternity. Every day is a lifetime of endless worry and waiting. I’m so tired of it all.”
She finished hanging the pants, picking the basket off the ground. “I’m sure Micah feels the same. He didn’t want to leave you, that much was evident, but he had to show the men where the bodies were. He was the only one who could do it.”
“At least Tom’s with us.” My younger brother took care of the animals, tending to them while pa was away. “It’ll be harvest soon. If they don’t come back—”
“Shush,” she admonished. “They will. The rabid bears are all gone. The Indians have run further into the mountains, and the cavalry just arrived yesterday. They’ll be hunting for them soon enough.”
“That disturbs me as well, but I shouldn’t feel sorry for them. They treated us abominably.”
“You worry for Daisy. What a miracle she lived! With any luck, they’ll outrun the Army, but who can say. It’s up to God to decide and mete out the punishments or none at all.” Her look hardened. “I know what happened to you was inexcusable, especially the ambush and aftermath, but you’ll have to try to forgive them, if you’re to go on. Holding onto these resentments will turn you into something harsh and bitter. I hope you realize that, Saffron. I’ve been watching you closely. I see that look on your face. It’s a mixture of fear and hate. Both of those things will eat you from the inside, if you can’t let them go.”
“I was never fond of the Indians. You know that, and you know why.”
“But you liked Deer Runner. They’re not all bloodthirsty savages.”
“No, not all.”
“It’s trauma. You’ve suffered quite the ordeal. If I’d been forced to jump from a cliff, I’d have nightmares too.”
“I can’t look at swirling water without thinking about it.”
“That will go away in time.”
“You’re far too wise for your age.” I felt better having spoken with my sister. “Wait until you face calamity. Then you’ll know how it feels.”
“I was with you on the wagon train. I had nightmares for a long time after that. I always worried one of us would be kidnapped and murdered.”
“Me too.”
“You’ve held together very well. Even Silas is on the mend.”
“Indeed. Clarissa Faris couldn’t be happier about that. She’s thick as thieves with his mother. That woman never warmed to me. I suppose they’re a better match. I’m happy for them, but I would really prefer my beau to be here. I want to marry him. I refuse to wait through another year of mourning. I’m sick and tired of crying. I’m alive, and I want to live now.”
“No one will ask you to wait. You may do as you wish.”
“I hope so.”
“You’ll buy the Goldman farm. Then you’ll be only a few minutes down the road. I can’t think of anything more perfect.”
“That all depends on whether or not they return, Amelia. Anything can happen out there. It’s later in the season now. The rains we had three days ago were more than likely snow for them. It’s hazardous and scary.” I shuddered. “I never want to go there again.”
“In time that’ll go away.”
I gave her a look. “I doubt it.”
“Let’s have tea, and we can finish our chores later. The more we do, the faster the time will go by. It’s not good to be too idle, especially when you’re waiting for something.”
“Fine.”
Having my sister as a companion suited me perfectly, our temperaments being similar. When Tom returned from the paddock, we ate supper in the kitchen, the fare consisting of baked chicken with rice and greens. Afterwards, Amelia and I settled on the porch to watch the sun go down, as the front of the house faced west. The clouds looked pink and purple with streaks of orange, the beauty of the offering breathtaking. From where we sat, we could see for miles across the property to the fields of neighbors, a light or two twinkling from a two-story window. The lack of conversation left only the sound of the wind, passing through the trees, rustling the leaves.
“I see someone,” said Amelia.
“Where?”
“A speck on the road. It’s a ways off still.”
“Probably the Guthries or the Sanfords or whoever lives down that way.”
“I suppose.” She rocked back and forth, her expression questioning. “We shall see soon enough. They’re more than one. They’re on horseback.”
I felt a little thrill, knowing Pa and Micah had traveled in this manner, hoping they came now, but, as the pair continued on, they did not turn onto our road. “I guess that wasn’t them.” My spirits sank slightly. “I wonder how much longer? I’m going to town tomorrow to inquire. I can’t wait another second.”
“So much for patience.”
“All I’ve done is sit around and wait.”
“I have to use the privy.” She got to her feet. “I’ll be back.”
I rocked, while the chair creaked beneath me. “Don’t let the spiders bite,” I giggled.
“Ugh. Stop it. Don’t say that.”
Tom appeared a moment later. “I’m bored. Why don’t we play cards? How about some Faro or three-card monte? All you girls do is sit and stare into the distance. You can pine all you want for Micah, but have some sympathy for your poor brother.”
I scowled at him. “One day you’ll be in love with a lovely young woman, and you’ll look forward to seeing her too. Then you’ll know what it’s like to want something that’s denied.”
He made a face. “Girls are a nuisance. Pesky, whiny, and silly. No, thank you.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’ll be singing a different tune in a few years, and then I shall laugh at you.”
“Are we expecting anyone?” He glanced into the distance.
“No, but I wish.”
“That looks like pa.” He pointed towards the road.
Jumping to my feet, I stared. “Where?”
“That fella on horseback.”
I had been too busy talking to Tom to notice, squinting my eyes to get a better look. “I hope so. Is there only one?”
“I see someone behind him. They’re coming fast.”
The riders had kicked up dust, having spurred their animals to a gallop. “I can’t believe it.” My heart began to pound, hammering in my chest. “I do hope it’s them.”
“Who’s coming?” Amelia had returned, standing with her hands on her hips. “Is that pa?”<
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“I say yes,” said Tom. “If it’s not, then I’ve lost my mind.”
“And Micah,” I cried. “It’s Micah!”
Tom made a face. “Oh, lordy. Oh, Micah! Oh, Micah!” His voice sounded high-pitched and teasing.
I hit him on the arm. “Stop that, you annoying boy.” Scrambling down the steps, I began to run, as the horse approached. Micah had come in first, galloping and grinning beneath a wide-brimmed hat. He dismounted, his booted feet hitting the ground. I flung myself at him, his arms going around me. “Oh, I’m so glad. I worried something had happened.” He smelled of dust and wind and musk.
“It’s good to see you.” He kissed my cheek, his eyes shining with affection. “We had some trouble finding the bodies, but you’ll never believe this. Deputy Thomas survived! His wounds were significant, but not life-threatening. He survived on water and berries.”
“Oh, my gravy. That’s truly miraculous.”
“He had two arrows in him, one in the arm, the other in the leg. He’ll recover well enough.”
I touched his face, feeling the roughness of his beard. “I’m just so happy you’re here.”
“She wasn’t patient in the least,” said Tom. “She complained about it quite often, like every hour of the day.”
Pa approached, dismounting. “How’s my family? I see the house is still standing. That’s encouraging.” He grinned.
“We’re fine, Pa,” said Amelia. She hugged him. “Saffron’s pining for Micah was nearly intolerable. Please let them marry at once. The sooner she’s good and married, the happier everyone will be.”
He chuckled, “I see. Let me take care of these horses, and then we can discuss this marriage business.”
Micah kissed me, his lips soft and sweet, his breath hinting at whiskey. “Have you been to town?” I asked, gazing into his eyes.
“Yes. We had to bring the deceased there. It’s a sad affair, but those families need to have them for burial. You should’ve seen Mrs. Thomas. She had thought her husband died. When word reached her that Leonard was alive, you could hear her cries of joy from nearly every corner of town.”
“That’s something else I’ll feel bad about now. We left him behind. We didn’t even check the bodies.”
“Don’t, Saffron. There was nothing else we could do. Deputy Thomas would’ve come home. He’d made it halfway on the trail, if you can believe it, with arrows and all. The will to live is strong, my love.” His arm wound around my back. “How’s Silas?”
“Improving. Clarissa Faris is happy about that.”
“That’s good news. I haven’t eaten a thing all day. I’m starving.”
“You smell of whiskey. How much did you have?”
He grinned crookedly. “A few. It hit me pretty hard on an empty belly. Some food would be nice.”
We turned for the house. “And where will you be staying tonight?” He was home. He was mine, and, soon, he would be my husband.
“Here.”
“Did you ask pa?”
“I have.”
We took to the steps, our boots clonking on the wood. “I’ll make up the guest bed then.”
“I’m sorry I was gone so long, Saffron.” His smile faded. “I knew every day I was out there, you’d worry about me. We had such trouble finding the bodies. Then we had to transport them by mule. It was terrible.”
“I can only imagine.”
“I put in an offer on the Goldman farm. Hopefully, we’ll get the furniture as well. You said you liked it. We’ll be settled before you know it.”
“And then we’ll always be together.” Our eyes met, as the bond we shared flared, the happiness of the reunion filling my soul with a blinding white light.
“Yes, my love.”
I kissed him, closing my eyes and melting into his arms. This felt peaceful and right and exactly where I longed to be. “I hope it’s soon. I can’t mourn for another year. I just can’t.”
“No, Saffron. No more tears. The future is now, and we shall live it.”
The End
Author’s Note
I have taken some historical liberties because of plot issues. In 1855, only a smattering of military outposts and trading hubs existed in what would later become the Territory of Colorado, so I created a town. This is a work of fiction, and my only desire was to write an entertaining, romantic story. If this offends anyone, I apologize.
Carré White
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Author’s Note