Westbound Awakening

by Hildie McQueen

  Miss Lady nodded, her eyes pinning Mae with a "don't say another word look". "Yes Captain, I do believe it's just enough time to get Mae more than ready to travel."

  This could not be happening. Mae flew from the room straight up to hers. "No!"

  5

  Two days later.

  What the hell had he done? John paced back in forth in the now familiar guest bedroom. No sooner did he finish his breakfast than he'd returned to the room. All morning he'd remained secluded, needing some privacy before preparing for the long days on the trail. Sitting on the bed, he closed his eyes and ran his fingers through the thick, overgrown hair now past his neckline. Absently he considered that it had never before been this length.

  He looked up to the ceiling. "Lord help me, but I'm in trouble."

  The thought of weeks on the trail alone with a beautiful woman was not the only reason he paced. What would she dress like? If she dressed like she did every night, although not as scandalous compared to other women in the brothel, her manner of dress would not work well for travel. Would he have to put up with her attempting to earn money the only way she knew how along the way? He should have asked Miss Lady for some ground rules before giving his word to escort Mae to Texas.

  Heck, anyone with half a brain would have backed out of the agreement. He couldn’t be blamed by anyone if he did. What was more important in this instance, though, was that he was a man of his word and Miss Lady trusted him, her intelligent eyes seeming to know more about him than even he hoped to. Her gentle and caring ways toward Mae made him wonder why the woman was so watchful over the Madam. From what he gathered, Mae's mother left Miss Lady to raise her. He wasn't sure if Mae's mother had died or just left. He admired Miss Lady. It seemed the poor older woman considered the prostitute like a daughter.

  Well, no time to rethink things. He'd just make the best of the situation. Mae would just have to abide by his stipulations. He'd wait until they were on the road and then explain things to her. Surely she'd not be so stubborn as to disagree. And if she did, well she'd just have to find herself a new way to get to Texas. He slammed his fist into the bedding. No, he couldn't do it. There was no way would that he abandon her along the road. He'd given Miss Lady his word.

  "Captain McClain?" The bartender James’ deep voice called from the other side of the closed door. "I'm about to load Miss Hawkins' things. Do you want to oversee where we put 'em?"

  Oh yes, he'd oversee this. Mae had barely left her room the last two days. She would not be allowed to take more than a couple trunks, so whatever mountain she'd been packing would be left behind. "I'm coming," he replied, picking up his hat and heading toward the doorway. He took one last look around his living space of the last three weeks. The room, although simple, had been comfortable. Yet, if he never saw the inside of a brothel again, he wouldn't be bothered by it in the least.

  The sun shone through the filter of the light clouds. John donned his hat and looked around. Other than a woman in dark dress and Miss Lady, the only person in sight was James, puffing as he dragged a bag of feed across to the wagon. John walked over and helped the man lift the bag onto back of the carriage. He peered inside to see only one additional trunk added to the items he'd already loaded. He looked to Miss Lady. "Where are the rest of her belongings? I know she packed more than this."

  "I have the small truck and this one bag here, that's all."

  He jerked to look at the woman standing next to Miss Lady. Wearing a dark serviceable dress with a matching hat, Mae's eyes met his from under the brim. She held a carpetbag in one hand and had a heavy cape draped over her arm. Her eyes narrowed at his risen eyebrows. "Well, Captain McClain, it seems you have a lot of preconceived notions about me."

  Definitely an understatement.

  "Captain McClain?" A masculine voice called.

  When a young male appeared from the side of the house, John looked at the assembled group, but no one seemed to be expecting him. Jefferson, a Calvary soldier, although not one of his, removed his worn hat and nodded at the women upon approaching. “I was told you was headed west, and I’d be obliged if you’d allow me to tag along." Jefferson extended a fistful of money toward John. "I'm willing to pay and help with the driving so you can rest."

  This development was the answer to his prayers. John waved the money away. "You'll have to ride in the back."

  Jefferson's eyes slid toward Mae and widened slightly. Other than that, he kept his composure and nodded in agreement. "Yes sir, thank you sir." He ran back and returned with a small bundle, which he threw into the wagon before climbing in.

  After Mae and Miss Lady embraced and said tearful goodbyes, John assisted Mae to the front seat of the wagon. She sat with her face devoid of expression and looked straight ahead, not looking at anyone. He went to go around the wagon to climb up when Miss Lady placed a hand on his arm staying him. She pulled him away from the group, and she raised her tear-filled eyes to him. "Now Captain, my girl is very precious to me. You gave me your word you'd look after her, and I trust you will." He started to speak, except she continued. "Now, I know she can be prideful and stubborn, but there is a lot about Mae you don't know. She's not as tough as she puts on so please don't be too harsh with her."

  "No harm will come to Mae while she's with me. I will keep my word to you Miss Lady. Don't you worry. She'll be back here with you before you know it." He leaned and gave her soft brown cheek a kiss. "You keep yourself well Miss Lady."

  Her lips curved into a soft smile. "I will. You take care of your leg young man."

  After he climbed onto the bench next to Mae, he looked to her and pulled a blanket from under the seat. He rolled it and pushed it behind her back. "If you're going to sit so stiff like, you’ll need some support for your back."

  She huffed and refused to look to him. "Let's go please. The sooner I get there, the faster I can come home." The words were laced with something he couldn't quite discern. Could it be fear? Certainly the unflappable Mae Hawkins was not scared.

  With a snap of the reins, he coaxed the horses onto the road. It surprised John that Lasitor seemed to not mind being harnessed to pull the wagon beside Mae's large farm horse. Soon they easily moved at a steady pace.

  The day went by without incident John, who preferred silence didn't mind the lack of conversation between himself and his companion. Mae's head bobbed a few times as sleep threatened, but each time she bolted back to her stiff straight position. John ignored her, knowing sooner or later she would be too exhausted to maintain the posture. He pulled a long drink from his canteen and offered it to her only to be annoyed when she shook her head.

  "I have my own water, thank you," she told him motioning to a basket under her seat. Miss Lady packed plenty of provisions for both of us. Although, now we have another one along, it may not go as far." Mae glanced over her shoulder. "Do you know him?"

  John nodded. He knew about Jefferson, who'd been kicked out of the Calvary for misconduct. The boy had a nasty temper, and after the initial relief of having a third person along, John had been second-guessing his hasty decision since. "Yes I know of him. He was not one of my men. He's been discharged from the regiment."

  The answer seemed to satisfy her. She studied him for a moment, and he wondered if she was about to ask another question. When he turned to face her, Mae looked forward again. It would be several hours before they would stop again since they'd taken a break not too long before, so he decided it was time to broach the subject of her behavior while on the road together.

  He cleared his throat. "Mae, there is something we should discuss." Sharp eyes snapped to him for an instant before she promptly dropped them to her hands fingers entwined on her lap she listened. Why did he feel like a tongue-tied boy around this woman? For years he'd commanded hardened men, for Gods' sake. He swallowed and continued. "You see, what we need to get straight is although I don't agree with your lifestyle, I don't judge you either." If possible she sat up straighter and paled, and she did not spe
ak. "However, during this trip I expect you will refrain from…"

  "Stop the wagon at once!" Her hand flew to cover her mouth, and she leaned away over the side. For a minute he wasn't sure if she was about to become sick or jump from the wagon.

  John pulled the horses to an abrupt stop, and Mae jumped to the ground. With her skirts pulled up, she dashed toward the tree line and out of sight. With no idea what happened, he decided to go after her in case she was ill. John looked to Jefferson who poked his head from the back of the wagon. "See about the horses. I'll be right back." The younger man climbed down and walked toward the horses.

  He rushed toward the tree line only to see Mae returning. Her countenance composed, she straightened her hat and went to walk around him. "Are you unwell?"

  Her flat eyes seemed to look through him. "I will ride in the back of the wagon. I need to sleep. Please tell Jefferson to ride up front." She pressed her lips together into a tight line. "And as for my behavior Captain McClain, I will endeavor to keep my skirt down and my legs together the entire time so as to not wound your sensibilities." She marched away from him and waited at the back of the wagon until he instructed the Jefferson to move any items he needed to the front.

  Jefferson, who was more than happy to get out from the uncomfortable and bumpy wagon rear, smiled and hurriedly grabbed a small bundle from the rear before climbing onto the bench.

  Mae ignored his outstretched hand and climbed into the back of the wagon. The basket Miss Lady had packed caught John's attention, so he grabbed it and took it to the back of the wagon. When he lifted the flap, Mae sat with her back pressed to the bag of feed, her hat removed and head bent. If he didn't know any better, he'd think she was praying. Without a word, he placed the basket into the wagon and left. He'd try to be careful, but regardless, she was in for a bumpy and uncomfortable ride.

  The rest of the day progressed without incident. His thoughts constantly went to Mae, and he wondered if he'd misspoken. Her reaction took him by surprise. He'd expected the anger, but the initial reaction was strange. She'd acted hurt, broken, insulted. It was too late now; he couldn't take the words back.

  Three days later, the setting sun gave plenty of light for an exhausted John to guide the horses to a clearing next to a stream. He and Jefferson unhitched the horses to allow them to feed and drink before placing blankets on their backs and tying them to low branches for the night.

  Looking as tired as he felt, Mae climbed from the back of the wagon and, without a word, walked toward the nearby water.

  Over the last three days, Jefferson had become bolder in his attention to Mae. Although she remained cool toward both of them, the male did not seem to be easily dissuaded. Twice John had warned him to keep his distance. Jefferson had only shrugged in response. Even now the young man's gaze followed her retreating figure with rapt interest. John hoped he'd not invited trouble when allowing the volatile man along. "Let's get some kindling for fire," John got his attention. "Then we'll unload our bedrolls. I figure Miss Mae will want to sleep in back of the wagon as usual, for privacy." The young man raised his eyebrows at his comment and nodded before heading toward the stream in the direction Mae went.

  Through the trees, John spied them. They exchanged a few words, and Mae moved away, into the trees. She appeared a few moments later and returned to the back of the wagon.

  Hours later, the flames danced casting shadows upon the ground. Jefferson lay on his bedroll, seeming to be asleep. John made one last trek to the stream to wash up and then headed to the wagon. "Mae, may I speak with you?" he called without lifting the flap. "Are you awake?"

  She pulled the flap up and peered out at him. "What is it Captain?"

  "You don't have to remain back in the wagon the entire time we are stopped. Err... if you wish to sleep by the fire, it may be warmer. I can assist you with a bedroll."

  Her eyes shifted toward the fire and lingered as if she were tempted. "That won't be necessary. I'm perfectly warm in here."

  "Very well," he said moving back to where he'd sleep. "Good night."

  "Good night," she replied, her voice soft.

  "John!" Muffled sounds woke John. The unmistakable noise of a female in distress jerked him to sit up and scan the area around him. Jefferson was gone. He looked toward the wagon and Mae when a moan cut through the air.

  Mae was in trouble.

  He jumped to his feet and had taken a few steps toward the wagon when the second noise stopped him. This one was a deeper masculine tone. The groan followed by silence explained enough, so he needed no further explanation as to what occurred. John went back to his bedroll and sunk into it. John let out a breath. No matter how much he fought it, his gaze slid to the wagon. A weight crushed his chest making it hard to keep from growling in anger.

  A shuffling noise sounded, and Jefferson hustled down from the wagon and hurried to the stream, not noticing that John watched him.

  How could she do this? Did she need the money? No, she did it as an affront. To prove to him he could not order her about. This entire journey was a monumental mistake, one he'd have to endure until the end. He'd keep his word to Miss Lady. Once they arrived in Texas, he'd never see or hear from Mae again, which suited him perfectly.

  Moments later, Jefferson crawled into his bedroll while John pretended to sleep.

  The fact John felt rested the next morning surprised him since it had been a long while before he'd calmed enough to fall back to sleep. Jefferson was up and keeping busy looking after the horses and afterwards pacing by the stream.

  Mae did not come for coffee as she'd made of habit of, and John did not go to her and offer. Finally she emerged from the wagon and went in the opposite direction of where Jefferson was to the stream.

  Not able to help himself, John went after her. With graceful steps, Mae bent over the water's edge, presenting a pretty picture. Her head bowed, she pulled her hair back and knotted it at her nape, and then she kneeled to cup water with her hands and held the cool liquid up to her face. She repeated the motion several times.

  When John approached, she straightened and shifted away from him. Her hair cascaded past her shoulders, freed from the pins, and Mae had her face turned away.

  When he took her by the forearm, she flinched as if his touch burned. That a woman such as her could seem so fragile at times was disconcerting.

  "I know what happened last night." He managed to keep his rage controlled, only by a thin hair. "I won't stand for what happened to repeat itself. I thought I made myself clear."

  She trembled. Probably from the cold water, maybe she was upset, whatever it was he'd not let the reaction stop him from getting his point across. Mae would have to learn he was not to be toyed with. "Do you understand me Mae?"

  Still not looking at him, Mae jerked from his grasp and wrapped her arms around her midsection and began to shake harder. "So we are back to calling me Mae now?" Her words were harsh. "Of course I understand. It will not happen again. Ever." She went to walk away without picking up her skirts. As a result, the clothing caught on a low branch, and she yanked at them with force. The clothing released, and she lost her balance. Before she could tumble to the ground, John caught her against him and almost cursed out loud at the awakening in his body from the feel of the soft plush curves.

  "I'm fine. I'll go now," Mae pushed away, but he held her in place.

  "Mae look..."

  "Don't say another word. There is nothing else I want to hear on the subject. Not now."

  "Fine, then go, but be warned next time, I'm leaving you, even if it's out in the middle of nowhere. I'll break my word to Miss Lady." Rounded eyes swung to him, and she bowed her head so her hair would conceal her face. "John, stop." She made her way back toward the wagon.

  He'd caught a glimpse of her bruised jawline and a split on her bottom lip. He caught up to her and blocked her path, his hands on her forearms "My God, what happened to you? You're hurt."

  Her hands flat on his chest and twisting her face
away, she pushed against him. "Let me go."

  "Not until you let me see your face." He glanced over toward the wagon to see that Jefferson had his back to them, carrying the bedrolls to the wagon. "Mae please, let me see." He loosened his hold on her, keeping his fingers curled around her biceps. Until he saw it all, he would not release her arms.

  Head held high, she finally turned and met his gaze. In addition to the bruising and the lip injury, there were scratches on her neck.

  Her lips twisted into a sneer, and she spoke slowly past clenched teeth. "Let me go John."

  "Why didn't you call for help?" He refused to release her until she would answer.

  Finally she relented, her shoulder's slumping in surrender. "I did call for you. You didn't come." Seeming to be startled by her words, she gasped and closed her eyes.

  "Did he..."

  "No I fought him off," she interrupted her eyes focused past his shoulders. "Now let me go." The whispered words were barely audible.

  John finally released her, and with a quick jerk, she picked up her skirts to avoid the low branches and made her way back toward the wagon.

  She'd needed his help. Had called for him the night before. The thought sickened John. One thing he could never stand was for a man to hurt a woman. How had she managed to fight him off? His gut clenched, at thinking how terrified she must have been to call for his help. He understood her anger at him for not coming to her aid.

  Heat infused his body at the thought of Jefferson accosting Mae right under his nose, while he lay there close enough to help her. Instead, he'd supposed the worst and ignored the sounds. A red fog colored his vision until it became like a long tunnel, everything dark except for the lighted center. The only thing he saw clearly was Jefferson, who now stood next to the wagon glaring at Mae as she stopped walking and stood next to the horses.