The Outlaws: Sam

by Ten Talents Press

  Sam was nearly asleep when he heard a rustling noise in the grass. His hand curled around the hilt of his gun. But a weapon wasn't necessary, for moments later he heard a soft voice call out to him.

  "Sam, I wish to speak to you. Are you awake?"

  Sam cursed beneath his breath. "Dammit, Yellow Bird, you know better than to sneak up on a body in the middle of the night. Can't it wait till morning?"

  "You are leaving." It was a statement, not a question.

  "It's inevitable, Yellow Bird. Did Running Buffalo tell you?"

  "No, it was something I sensed in my heart."

  Sam smiled at Yellow Bird through darkness relieved only by diffused moonlight filtering through the canopy of trees above him. "I'll always remember you kindly, Yellow Bird."

  "You're going back to her."

  "I don't know," Sam said truthfully. "I do know I'm not going to California. I need to clear my name and I can't do it in California. I'm not an outlaw and don't like being one."

  "I am afraid for you, Sam."

  He touched her cheek. "I'll survive."

  "What you intend to do is dangerous."

  "I want my son to be proud of me. I don't want him going through life thinking his father is an outlaw."

  "What about La-cey? I think you care for her more than you care for me."

  "It's really strange, Yellow Bird. For years I made myself forget that Lacey even existed. But seeing her again opened a floodgate of emotions. I wanted to hate her and almost succeeded. Maybe she did betray me to the Yankees and maybe she didn't. Maybe she did send a posse after me and maybe she didn't. She lied to me, and I can understand that. She wanted what was best for Andy."

  "La-cey will marry a man your son hates."

  "I'm not so sure about that," Sam said thoughtfully. "Lacey isn't a fool. She warned us about Cramer's attack because she knew there would be bloodshed. The bastard wanted me and Andy dead and she'd never marry a man like that."

  "I would have done anything for you, Sam, but I know now that I can never have you."

  "You are better off without me, Yellow Bird. There are many fine braves eager to join with you."

  "Perhaps one day," Yellow Bird said without conviction. "It is with much sorrow that I must tell you what I have done."

  Sam tensed. "What are you talking about? What did you do?"

  "I helped your woman and your son leave the village. I told La-cey that you and I were lovers, and that you did not want her."

  Sam jerked upright. "That was a lie! We had reconciled the night before I joined the hunting party. I had hoped... He sighed regretfully. "What's done is done. It's too late for recriminations."

  "Forgive me, Sam," the Indian maiden choked out. "It was wrong of me."

  "I forgive you, Yellow Bird. If Lacey hadn't wanted to leave, she wouldn't have gone."

  "Good-bye, Sam. I will never forget you."

  "Good-bye, Yellow Bird. I will always be grateful to you. You gave me life when I would have died and your people sheltered me."

  Yellow Bird was gone as silently as she had appeared. Sam closed his eyes. He thought of Lacey and what he had lost. He had no idea what the future held for them, or if they even had a future together, but he did know he couldn't go through life as an outlaw.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lacey and Rusty returned to the ranch in a somber mood. Their sober expressions were enough to discourage questions, much to Lacey's relief. She was too distraught to discuss the situation with anyone. Unfortunately she still had to face Andy.

  As luck would have it, Andy was playing in the yard when she and Rusty arrived. His face lit up and he raced over to meet them. Lacey dismounted and waited for him.

  "Where's Papa?"

  "You talk to the lad," Rusty said as he took charge their horses.

  Lacey's heart sank. She hated to dash Andy's hopes but she had no choice in the matter. Sam was never coming back and the sooner he faced reality the better off he'd be.

  "Where's Papa?" Andy repeated.

  "We'll discuss it inside, son," Lacey said.

  Andy trotted along beside her, but she could tell by his expression that he'd already begun to suspect something was amiss. Lacey went directly to the parlor, sat on the sofa and drew Andy onto her lap.

  "This isn't easy for me, honey," Lacey began, "because I know it's going to hurt you."

  Andy's lips trembled. "Didn't Papa want to come home?"

  "We never found him. He already left for California."

  "Won't I ever see him again?"

  "I wouldn't go so far as to say that," Lacey hedged. "Sam could turn up when we least expect it."

  A tear slipped from the corner of Andy's eye. "Can we go to California and look for Papa?"

  "I'm afraid not."

  "I'm never going to see Papa again," he said on a sob. "You lied to me."

  "I'm sorry, Andy, I shouldn't have promised something I wasn't sure I could deliver. You got along without a father until Sam showed up, you can do it again."

  Andy jumped off Lacey's lap, his expression belligerent. "I don't want to talk about it any more. You lied to me!"

  Whirling away, he ran off.

  "Andy, wait!"

  She heard the front door slam and started after him. By the time she reached the door he was already out of sight. She stared out into the encroaching darkness, trying to decide whether or not to go after him. She realized he was in no mood to talk or listen to reason and ultimately decided to leave him alone to work out his anger by himself. Andy was hurting, and not ready yet to listen to reason. As much as she wanted to take him in her arms and hold him, she knew he wouldn't be receptive.

  Sighing despondently, she silently cursed Taylor Cramer for this turmoil in her life. She decided to wait until suppertime, and if Andy hadn't shown up by then, she'd go after him.

  Andy returned to the house when Lacey called him in for supper two hours later. To her immense relief, he didn't mention their previous conversation as washed up on the back porch and took his seat at the table. He remained strangely detached and uncommunicative throughout the meal, which worried Lacey. He merely nodded when spoken to and kept his eyes on his plate.

  "I'm done, Mama, can I please leave the table?" Andy asked in a small voice.

  "We need to talk, honey."

  "Not now, Mama. I'm tired."

  "I'll come up and tuck you in later. We'll talk tomorrow if you'd rather."

  She watched Andy trudge up the stairs, her heart breaking for him as well as for herself.

  Andy didn't go to bed immediately. With grim purpose, much like his father's, he stripped the case from his pillow and stuffed it with clothes and his favorite toys. Then he hid it under the bed and climbed beneath the covers. When Lacey came up to tuck him, he pretended sleep. He waited until Lacey left and the house was dark before crawling from bed, retrieving his pillowcase and creeping down the stairs. Before he left the house, he made a detour to the kitchen in search of food.

  He found two apples, half a loaf of bread. a hunk of cheese and a handful of cookies, which he stuffed into the pillowcase with his clothing. He knew California was a long way off but he figured he'd be able to reach it in a couple of days. Dawn was still several hours away when he quietly let himself out of the the house.

  Andy remembered hearing that California was west of Texas, and he wandered aimlessly until the sunrise. Then he turned west, away from the rising sun, recalling that the sun rose in the east.

  Andy walked for hours before he felt the first pangs of thirst. He'd completely forgotten to bring water, but he wasn't too worried yet. There were plenty of creeks and streams in Texas, and even a river or two. He was bound to run into water soon.

  Luck was with him. He did indeed find a stream. The pillowcase was heavy and he set it down on the bank as he knelt and quenched his thirst. Once his thirst was quenched, he sat down to rest, leaning against a sturdy tree trunk. He was tired. Surely he must be close to California by now. Please
d at his progress, he closed his eyes and dozed off.

  Andy's sleep was deep and peaceful. He didn't hear riders approaching, nor was he aware that one of the riders had dismounted and stood over him, a contemplative look on his face.

  "Ain't that the Lacey Gentry's son, boss?"

  Taylor Cramer glanced at his foreman and nodded. "It is indeed, Harper. I wonder what he's doing out here all by himself."

  "Wake him up and ask him," Harper suggested.

  "Good idea," Cramer said as he nudged Andy with his toe.

  Andy awoke with a start. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and scrambled to his feet when he saw Cramer and his foreman.

  "What are you doing out here, boy?" Cramer asked.

  "I'm going to California to find my Papa. Are you going to California, too?"

  "Why would you think that?"

  "This is the way to California, isn't it?"

  Harper snickered.

  Cramer ignored Andy's question. "Did you run away from home, boy?"

  Andy's bottom lip quivered. "I wanted to find my Papa."

  Cramer stared at Andy through narrowed lids. Suddenly he smiled. "How would you like me to take you to California?"

  "Why would you do that?" Andy asked suspiciously.

  "Because I'm fond of you."

  Andy grasped his pillowcase and backed away. "You don't like me and I don't like you. I can get to California on my own."

  "I doubt that. Get him, Harper."

  Though only five year old, Andy was astute enough to realize he was in trouble. Dropping his heavy bundle, he turned and ran. Harper kneed his horse and scooped Andy up, dangling the squirming bundle beneath his arm like a sack of potatoes.

  "What should I do with him, boss?"

  "Take him back to the house and lock him in the spare bedroom. Keep him out of sight, I don't want anyone to see him. I've got plans for young Gentry. He couldn't have chosen a better time to run away."

  "You ain't gonna hurt him, are you?" Harper asked. "You know I'd do anything for you, but I draw the line at harming a lad barely out of diapers."

  "Let me go!" Andy screeched at the top of his lungs. "I ain't no baby. I wanna go home."

  "Don't worry, Harper. Young Master Gentry will come to no harm."

  Harper rode off, apparently satisfied with Cramer's answer..

  Lacey thought it odd when Andy didn't come down to breakfast, but she figured he was sulking in his room. She decided to let him sulk awhile. When he still hadn't stirred long after the breakfast hour came and went, she began to worry in earnest. A prickling sensation crawled up her spine as she climbed the stairs to Andy's room.

  She opened the door, saw the empty bed and experienced a jolt of panic. Andy was gone! Had he arisen early and left the house before anyone was stirring? Her heart began to pound and she raced down the stairs, calling Andy's name. Rita came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.

  "What is it, Senora? Is Andy still angry?"

  "He's gone, Rita! Do you suppose he's with Rusty? Or one of the hands?"

  "Si, where else could he have gone?"

  Andy wasn't with Rusty. Nor was he with any of the hands. They searched the barn, cookhouse, bunkhouse and tack room. Lacey even went down to the storm cellar and up in the attic while Rita searched Andy's room for clues.

  While in the attic, Lacey heard Rita call her name and came rushing down the rickety stairs. "What is it, Rita?"

  "Andy's clothing is missing. And the pillowcase is gone from his bed. Madre de Dios, the bambino ran away!"

  Lacey grasped the wall to steady herself, her face drained of all color. The thought of Andy lost in inhospitable Texas wilderness nearly brought her to her knees.

  "No! Andy wouldn't do such a thing."

  Rita's dark eyes softened with pity. "He wanted his Papa. He never knew a father's love until Senor Sam came along."

  "Oh, God!" Lacey sobbed. "Andy wanted to go to California to find Sam. He can't have gotten far. I'll have Rusty and the hands out searching for him in no time. Our Andy will be back with us soon, Rita, I promise."

  Lacey prayed she was right as she rushed off to alert Rusty and the hands. She found them gathered in front of the barn, awaiting the outcome of her search inside the house.

  "Did you find Andy, Miz Lacey?" Rusty asked.

  "No, Rusty, we didn't find him, but I think I know what happened."

  "You don't suppose Sam took him, do you?"

  "No, not this time. Sam's gone for good. Some of Andy's clothing is missing, so is the pillowcase from his bed. I think he ran away. He wanted to go to California to find his father. He's just a child, distance has no meaning for him. He's out there somewhere, lost and afraid. We've got to find him."

  "Saddle up, boys," Rusty ordered. "Let's bring the lad back to his mother."

  "I'm going with you," Lacey said.

  It was late afternoon when Rusty came upon the pillowcase with Andy's belongings. Elated, he continued on, hopeful of finding Andy nearby. Near dusk, he crossed paths with Lacey and showed her the pillowcase stuffed with Andy's belongings..

  "Where could he be?" Lacey wailed. "It's getting dark. He'll be frightened."

  "Why don't you go home, Miz Lacey? Maybe Andy got cold and hungry and returned to the house. Me and the boys will keep searching. All night, if we have to."

  "I don't know, Rusty..."

  "Please, Miz Lacey, you ain't doing your son any good wearing yourself out."

  Lacey gave a shaky sigh. "Perhaps you're right. Maybe Andy is home waiting for me now."

  Lacey's hopes soared as she rode back to the ranch. Andy might have headed home as soon as it started to get dark. She'd probably find him in the kitchen with Rita, stuffing himself after going without breakfast and lunch. She even managed a smile as she rode into the yard and led her mare into the barn.

  "Sorry, girl," she said, patting the mare on the rump. "No time for a rubdown tonight." She spared a moment to remove the saddle, then all but ran to the house.

  "Rita!" she called as she flung open the door. "Has Andy returned?"

  Rita appeared immediately, wringing her hands. "No, Senora, didn't you find him?"

  Lacey's shoulders slumped. "I thought...I hoped... No, we didn't find him. We found the pillowcase with his belongings, but not Andy."

  Rita's face crumbled. "Poor little bambino."

  "The boys will keep searching. They're bound to find him soon. How far could a little boy on foot have gotten?"

  "Go to bed, Senora. I will wake you when they return."

  "I couldn't sleep a wink. I'll wait in the parlor."

  "I will be in the kitchen, if you need me."

  "Go home, Rita, there is nothing you can do here."

  "I will stay, Senora. Would you like something to eat? How about some coffee?"

  "Nothing, Rita, thank you."

  Lacey sank down onto the sofa and rested her head against the back, listening to the ominous silence. The house seemed so empty without Andy's boundless energy. Knowing that Andy was lost in the vast darkness made her want to retch. He was so small, so young, any number of things could happen to him out there. He was defenseless in a dangerous world. A sob gathered in her throat; she closed her eyes and began to pray.

  When Rita checked on Lacey a short time later, she found her sleeping soundly. Clucking her tongue, Rita pulled an afghan over her and tiptoed from the room.

  The sound of voices lured Lacey from sleep. She opened her eyes, surprised to see sunlight flooding the room. Her gaze found Rusty, who was speaking in hushed tones to Rita. She leaped to her feet.

  "Rusty! Did you find Andy?"

  Rusty's expression was guarded as he answered Lacey's question. "I'm sorry, Miz Lacey. If Andy was out there we would have found him."

  "What are you saying?"

  "The boys and I scoured the area. Like you said, Andy couldn't have gone very far. It wasn't until this morning that I returned to the place where Andy had dropped the pillowcase. Daylight
revealed signs I missed in the dark."

  "What signs?"

  "Hoof prints. At least two riders had been there before me. I studied on it a long time and came to the conclusion that someone found Andy and carried him off. The boys and I returned to report to you."

  Hope soared within Lacey. "Thank God! The only explanation is that a neighbor found Andy. He'll be with us soon, Rusty."

  "That's what I figured," Rusty agreed.

  "After the hands eat breakfast, tell them to go to bed. You, too, Rusty. You were out all night. Tell the hands that I appreciate their effort. I'm sure Andy is just fine."

  "If you're sure, Miz Lacey."

  "Very sure. Go get some rest."

  "You have plenty of time to wash up and change before breakfast," Rita said after she let Rusty out.

  "Yes, perhaps that would be best," Lacey agreed. "Call me if Andy returns while I'm upstairs."

  "Si, Senora."

  Lacey washed and changed clothes in short order, anxious to return downstairs to wait for Andy. She wouldn't rest easy until he was safe within her arms. A niggling fear persisted and she tried without success to put it from her mind. What if Andy hadn't been found by a neighbor? What if he'd run into outlaws or wild animals?

  Sighing despondently, Lacey tied her long, blond hair back with a ribbon and hurried downstairs. She had just reached the middle of the staircase when she heard a commotion at the front door. A smile stretched her lips and her eyes lit up as she rushed down the remaining steps and flung the door open.

  "Andy..."

  Her smile dissolved. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you never to darken my door again." She started to close the door.

  Taylor Cramer held the panel open and shoved past Lacey. "I think you'll want to hear what I have to say," he said, whirling to confront her.

  "I doubt that."

  "Shall we talk about Andy."