The Blackbird

by Kristy McCaffrey

  As they approached the adjutant's office, Cale noticed the men’s glances in Tess’s direction. He dismounted, tied the horses to the hitching post along with Moses, then helped Tess from Gideon, grasping her thin waist covered by the same checkered skirt she’d been wearing for days. The look she gave him told him she wondered why he was so solicitous, but he wanted the males in residence to assume she was his.

  “I can get off my horse on my own,” she said.

  “I've seen you grimace over your leg. I’m just trying to help.” Yep, that was a good excuse.

  He reached for her cane and handed it to her.

  “Does being in the vicinity of the Army make you a gentleman again?”

  “I'm always a gentleman.” He tipped his hat, then stepped back to let her pass. After their talk the previous night, the wall around Tess had thinned somewhat. She’d been quiet throughout the day, but he noticed a bit more kindness in her treatment of him. He’d shared with her more details of the past six years than he had with anyone. He hoped she’d feel comfortable enough with him to reciprocate.

  Reed Fitzgerald opened the door, a big grin on his ruddy face. Dark, bushy eyebrows and a thick beard and mustache framed round cheeks. He hadn’t changed much from when he and Cale were stationed together.

  “Cale Walker,” he bellowed. “It’s damn good to see you.”

  Cale smiled and embraced him. “I didn’t expect to see you here as commander.”

  “Why would I wanna stay at the Presidio in San Francisco when I can govern this piece of heaven?”

  They stepped back from one another, and Cale brought a hand to Tess’s lower back, pleased when she didn’t flinch from his touch. “This is Tess Carlisle. Tess, Reed Fitzgerald.”

  “El placer de conocerte,” she responded.

  Fitz took her hand. “Señorita Carlisle, es un placer. Call me Fitz.” His gaze shifted back to Cale. “What brings you both out here?”

  “We're looking for a man named Hank Carlisle, Tess's father.” Cale reluctantly removed his hand from her. “I wondered if you might’ve seen him in these parts.”

  Fitz concentrated a moment. “It’s not striking my memory, but I can check with some of the recent patrols and see if they know anything.”

  “I'd be obliged,” Cale replied.

  “You both must be tired. Will you stay the night?” He looked at Tess. “My wife is here, and she'd have my hide if I didn't offer an opportunity for her to dine with another female.”

  Tess smiled, and Cale knew she’d appreciate sleeping somewhere other than the ground. And the added measure of security would allow him to rest as well.

  “We'd be pleased to stay,” Cale said.

  “I'll have my quartermaster show you to the guest accommodations.” He paused. “Are you married?”

  “No,” Cale answered. “But it’s a thought. What do you think, Tess?”

  She frowned, her eyes sharp as they bored into him. He grinned, pleased by the blush that crept up her face, the late afternoon light flushing her in a soft glow.

  “Oh, my wife would love to discuss weddings.”

  “We’re not getting married,” Tess said.

  Fitz raised a bushy eyebrow. “Maybe I should put you two lovebirds together, to work this out.”

  “We’re not lovebirds.” An edge crept into Tess’s voice, but Cale knew she kept it in check for Fitz’s sake.

  “Well, if that’s the case,” Fitz said, “then you must stay with my wife. It’s only proper, what with all the men milling about, and you’re a pretty thing, Miss Carlisle. If anyone bothers you, you be sure and tell me, you hear?”

  “No one’s going to bother her.” Cale’s amusement over the interchange quickly changed to irritation.

  “Gracias, Captain Fitzgerald.”

  “It's no trouble.”

  And with that, Cale didn't see Tess again until suppertime.

  Chapter Eight

  Kitty Louise Fitzgerald was a robust woman with a big smile and friendly countenance. Tess liked her immediately.

  The home she shared with her husband was a quarter-mile away from the main fort, in an old mud-brick building. There was a wooden partition dividing a living space with a comfortable-looking sofa and chair, and a bed on the other side. A potbelly stove sat in one corner and a wash basin resided opposite it. Kitty didn’t have a full kitchen at her disposal, but there was no need with a mess hall nearby. Nevertheless, the Fitzgerald’s had a table at which to sit and drink coffee, as evidenced by the pot atop the stove.

  “Is it difficult to live out here, so far from a town?” Tess asked, settling onto the sofa.

  Kitty laughed. With brown hair pulled back in a bun, her blue-green eyes sparkled. She wore a clean white cotton dress, the sleeves rolled to her elbows. Despite the location of the camp in the hills, it was still very hot this time of year. Tess became aware of the filthiness of her own garments, her camisole and drawers most of all.

  “I rather like it,” Kitty answered, sitting beside Tess. “The camp is like a tiny town anyway.” She poured tea from a ceramic pot and handed a cup to Tess. “And I'm glad to not be far from Reed.” A wistful look came over her expression. “Do you have a sweetheart, Tess?”

  An image of Cale flashed into her head . “No.”

  “Well, I suspect you’ll draw more than one admirer while you’re here. How is it that you know Cale?”

  “He's a friend of mi padre's. He's helping me search for him. How long have you known Cale?”

  “Not as long as Reed. They were stationed here several years ago. Reed was a lieutenant, and Cale a private. Reed has always spoken highly of him. When Cale finally came out of Mexico after being with the Apache, it was Reed that found him.”

  “Did they all know Cale had been with the Indians?”

  Kitty became serious. “There were rumors, of course. I wasn’t here then. Reed didn’t know what to think, but he kept his reunion with Cale mostly to himself.”

  “Why?”

  “Because there are many in the army who despise the Apache. It's their job, really, to eradicate these Indians, or get them to the reservations. But the raiding continues anyway. Cale straddles a hazy line, one that only the Good Lord can pass judgment upon.”

  “How do you feel about the Apache?”

  “I’ve met many,” Kitty replied, “and most are kind, if not frightened. They’re trying to survive and raise their children. I’ve always tried to share the Christian view, that God holds all his children in His favor, and they would find comfort if they turned to Him. But it’s always the men that cause all the trouble.”

  The twinkle in Kitty’s eyes was tempered with the barest hint of shadows. Tess wondered if the other woman also found it hard to stomach the unrest caused on both sides. One would be hard-pressed to find an individual in the southwestern Arizona Territory who hadn’t been touched by Apache raids in one way or another. Tom and Mary had survived two, Tess being present during the second. They survived for two reasons—Tom had secreted Tess, Mary, Robbie and Molly Rose in a narrow, cramped cellar with a trap door, well hidden and its location never shared with anyone, and he’d been willing to barter horses and whiskey. Thankfully they’d had time to hide before the warriors approached, thereby protecting themselves, even in the event of Tom’s death.

  “I saw Apache when we entered the camp,” Tess said.

  “Yes. They come in when they’ve had enough and they need food. They must agree to go to the San Carlos Reservation. Some of the men sign on to scout for the army, but, as you can imagine, that makes them unpopular with their brothers. I don’t know how Reed deals with all of it. What’s right and what’s wrong? It’s not for us to know the bigger picture. But Reed’s responsible for keeping this area safe for settlers and miners, the stagecoaches, and of course the mail. It all comes through here from the east and straight through to California. The Apache have long loved to set ambushes.”

  “Do you fear for your life?”

&nbs
p; Kitty thought for a moment. “No, not really. I feel safe with the garrison here. And Reed has taught me how to defend myself. If my time comes, then I’ll go willingly to rest in eternity with my most beloved Father. Now, let’s discuss something less dire. We can have your laundry done. I'm a mite bigger than you, but I have a few dresses in my trunk that might fit you. They belonged to my sister, Charlotte, before she had a bunch of babies. She's got so many, I can't even remember all their names.”

  “Gracias. Do you and the Captain have any children?”

  Kitty smiled but the light didn’t reach her eyes. She patted Tess's hand. “We did. A little boy named William. But he died a few years back, God rest his soul.”

  Tess covered Kitty's hand with her own. “Lo siento mucho.” She could feel the woman's pain, and marveled that she remained so cheerful in this place that didn't offer much amusement or happy times.

  “He's buried here,” Kitty continued. “There's a small cemetery just beyond. Many good soldiers are there, along with my little William.”

  And it became clear to Tess why Kitty stayed in this place. A mother couldn't bear to be parted from her child, even in death.

  “Well, enough of this talk.” Kitty stood. “Let me find you something to wear, then I'll have your things sent to the wash. I imagine you’d like to rest before supper.”

  “Thank you, Kitty. Your kindness is an unexpected treasure.”

  “You have the most beautiful green eyes, Tess.”

  “Just like mi padre.”

  * * * *

  Cale and Fitz spoke with several men who'd scouted these past weeks in the area. Cale learned that Henry and Mariah were given a wide berth—rumor had it they'd once eaten a man who'd stumbled across them, and Cale didn't entirely disbelieve it—and that a man fitting Hank's description, tall with fading reddish hair and an Irish lilt to his words, had been seen twice. The first time, the private scouting was alone and came across a man with two mules and a horse. The stranger had a bunch of junk—trinkets and pans and strange Indian paraphernalia. They'd shared a meal of deer meat, then the scout had left, deciding nothing of value could be had from the man, who talked in strange circles and gibberish.

  The second sighting occurred about six months ago, during a scuffle in the Dragoons between the army and a group of Apache. Hank had been there, and he seemed to be with the Indians, but when it was done, he disappeared.

  It was nearly dark when Cale and Fitz walked to the married officer's accommodations. As they approached, Kitty stood among a group of cavalrymen. A shift in the crowd revealed Tess at the center.

  Cale frowned.

  She wore a dark dress that hugged curves her clothes had only hinted at before. Her loosely pinned dark hair showcased the oval shape of her face, and despite her discomfort—obvious to Cale but likely not to the others, she hid it well—she smiled and he was struck by her beauty. She was a handsome woman, but now...well, now, her exotic features made it impossible for him to look away.

  She was breathtaking.

  Propped against a large boulder, she had her cane at the ready.

  She smiled at Cale as he and Fitz neared, and Cale basked in the attention, however brief it was.

  “Darling,” Kitty said to her husband, “no reason to keep Tess all to ourselves.”

  Fitz nodded, indulging his wife.

  Cale angled into the group of men, many of them quite young, and positioned himself beside Tess. “Best give the lady a rest, gentleman.”

  Fitz gave a nod, and the group dispersed.

  “Shall we go inside and have supper?” Kitty asked.

  Cale took Tess's arm, helping her to stand as she retrieved her cane. “You look very fetching this evening.”

  He caught her shy glance.

  “Gracias. The dress belongs to Kitty.”

  Cale raised an eyebrow. Kitty was a much larger woman than Tess. He kept his hand at her elbow, pleased that she didn't pull away.

  “I know what you're thinking,” she whispered. “It was her sister's.”

  He grinned, enjoying the brief camaraderie of the exchange.

  They dined in the Fitzgerald’s home, seated at the cozy rectangular table. The food was brought from the camp kitchen by two privates—steak, boiled potatoes, fresh sourdough bread with butter, and apple pie for dessert. Both Cale and Tess ate their fill, enjoying a rare hot meal. And Cale enjoyed getting caught up on news of the fort.

  * * * *

  With their stomachs filled, Tess sat beside Cale on the cushioned couch, feeling at ease. She liked the Fitzgerald’s, but on the outskirts of her awareness, she knew it had much to do with the man beside her.

  The cavalrymen who swarmed her earlier had enjoyed regaling her of stories of the Apache, how they kept them at bay, hunted them down, even died over it. Tess had done her best to be polite, not wanting to repay Kitty's hospitality by being rude to the men under her husband's command, but the truth was, the tales seemed horrific and unnecessary. And after Cale’s confession the previous night, the war with the Apaches left her with a sour stomach, for everyone involved.

  Added to her distaste of the subject matter was the overt flirtations of the young men. It made her uncomfortable. If she conveyed any type of interest, if they misunderstood her attentive focus, would they take it as a sign to corner her later, pressure her, not take no for an answer... Her heart had pounded at the thought while she worked hard to keep a pleasant demeanor.

  Then Cale approached with Captain Fitzgerald, and an unexpected relief washed over her . He came and stood beside her, and for the first time in a long time, she welcomed a man's presence. He made her feel protected.

  Cale leaned back and stretched an arm to rest behind her on the wooden frame of the sofa, then took a swig of his whiskey. She'd declined the offer of an alcoholic drink, but with her leg aching, she wondered if she should reverse that decision. She struggled to shift her position in an effort to relieve the discomfort.

  Cale leaned close. “Do you ever take anything for that?”

  “You mean like laudanum? No. I don't think being delirious is a healthy way to live.”

  “What happened to your leg, dear?” Kitty asked.

  Tess paused, but she couldn't be unkind to the woman who had all but gone out of her way for Tess all day. “I was shot. It happened about two years ago. It didn't heal properly.”

  “Oh Tess, I'm so sorry. Who did such a thing to you?”

  Tess hesitated. She'd never told anyone, not even Tom and Mary. But maybe it was time she stopped protecting her perpetrator out of fear. She took a deep breath. “His name is Saul Miller.”

  Cale's gaze jerked to her.

  Tess kept her eyes straight ahead.

  “Saul Miller?” Reed said. “I think I've met him. He was around these parts a few months ago. Came buy with three men he'd captured on bounty. He was looking for fresh horses, but we had none.”

  Cale stood and downed the remainder of his drink. “That sonofabitch,” he muttered under his breath. He began pacing, rubbing the back of his neck. “Why didn't you tell me, Tess?”

  “What does it matter?” Her eyes met his. He knows. Tom must’ve told him of not just the shooting, but the assault as well. Shame engulfed her.

  “It does matter.” Cale’s gaze was feral and remote. It was a look she'd seen in her padre at times. She recoiled, not wanting anything to do with the violence that could be triggered in the male of the species.

  How did Kitty live here, with all these men, who regularly connected with their base instincts, a primal brutality Tess feared could be turned back on her at any moment? Wasn't Kitty afraid?

  Cale turned his murderous glare on Reed. “Do you know where he is, Fitz? Where he might've gone?”

  “No, I'm sorry. I don't. Do you know him?”

  “He partnered with Hank years ago in manhunts. Yeah, I know him.” Cale stopped pacing and stood just behind Tess, his prickly presence filling the room. “Why in the hell did Hank ever l
et him near you?” he asked quietly. She could feel his gaze upon her.

  “What's done is done,” she said, feeling herself shutting down. Old habits die hard. It had been the only way to survive then. It was the only way to escape the shame now.

  “Have you seen a doctor, Tess?” Kitty asked. “A good one, I mean. They might be able to offer help in correcting the state of your leg. Are you frequently in pain?”

  “I've learned to live with it. As for a doctor, I haven't the money.”

  “We’ve a Post Surgeon, but he’s not in residence at the moment,” Reed said. “If you’re here when he returns, I’ll have him look at you. But in the meantime, are you sure you don't want a shot of whiskey? A little won't hurt. It sometimes helps me sleep.”

  “Reed has injuries as well,” Kitty added quietly.

  Tess felt weary now, the weight of the revelation bearing down on her. “Alright, I'll take that drink.”

  Reed rose, poured the liquid and brought her the glass. She sipped and coughed a bit, but kept at it. Anything to not speak with Cale, especially in front of Reed and Kitty.

  “Kitty, why don't you accompany me to the barracks?” Reed asked. “Help me get settled.”

  “Of course.”

  Reed and Cale would be sleeping in one of the rooms usually occupied by the sergeants, and Tess would share a bed with Kitty in the privacy of their home.

  The couple left, and Tess felt the warm effect of the liquor in her belly. She sighed and her shoulders slumped. Cale moved opposite of her, across the room.

  “You don't have to carry this burden alone,” he said. She raised her eyes and saw an iron resolve but also compassion she hadn't expected reflected back to her.