by Danni Roan
They reached the tree line and Bruno swung up on Smoke’s back, offering Janine a hand.
“I don’t know how to get up,” she said. “Daddy always said ladies don’t ride.” She looked at him sitting comfortably in the saddle.
“Put your foot in the stirrup here,” Bruno said patiently, removing his foot and showing her what to do. “Then take my hand and swing up behind me, the way I got on.”
Bracing herself on his arm, Janine finally got her left foot into the stirrup and tried to lift herself up. “I can’t,” she grumbled as she tried again.
“Give a little jump,” Bruno encouraged.
Again, the young woman tried but did not succeed. With a frustrated cry, she pushed herself away from the horse, anger flashing in her eyes. “This is stupid. You get down and put me on.” Her words were pinched, demanding.
“I can’t do that, Janine,” Bruno looked at her his eyes steady. “I have to guide Smoke along the trails or we’ll never get home. I can’t do that from behind the saddle. You will have to get up here or walk.”
Janine Williams’ eyes glinted like sharpened steel as she placed her hands on her hips and opened her mouth.
Bruno had seen these warning signs too often not to know what to expect and he kicked Smoke into action, trotting down the hill before the first words poured from her pretty mouth.
“Bronwyn Sparak, you get back here,” Janine squalled. “You can’t just ride off and leave me here.” She tossed her head and the last pins that held her mass of russet hair in check popped to the ground, setting the tresses free as she prepared to do the same for her temper.
“Here she goes, Smoke,” Bruno whispered to the pony whose ears lay flat against his neck. “You wanna ride you’ll have to climb up,” the dark-haired young man called over his shoulder, letting the horse pick its way carefully along the seldom-used trail.
Behind him he could hear Janine stomping her foot on the frozen ground.
“You can’t leave. I said come back.” Her voice was strident but Bruno pushed on, the woman’s voice fading in distance even as it raised in pitch.
Taking a bend in the trees, he stopped Smoke and waited. He’d always given in to everything Janine had ever wanted, fetching and carrying for her, buying her special treats and presents with what little money he could scrape together, but now something had changed.
Smoke flicking his ears back was the first hint that Janine had followed. The sound of her grumbled complaints preceded her around the corner.
“I can’t believe you left me there,” she said, shock, fear, and confusion mingled on her pale face.
“I told you if you want to ride, you have to mount up,” Bruno replied, his voice quiet and reasonable.
Janine came closer, hobbling on one foot. Apparently, frozen earth was less forgiving when stamped upon than the polished wood floors of a banker’s home.
“Give me your hand,” she finally said her words still truculent.
Bruno grasped her arm firmly as she thrust her foot into the stirrup. “On three,” she said and began to count. As her voice hit three she sprang hard upward, her weight catching in the stirrup, and she lifted her leg over the pony’s rear.
Smoke jerked slightly as her backside plopped unceremoniously onto his, then settled with a snort.
“I did it,” the girl with windblown hair chimed. “I actually did it!”
“I knew you could,” Bruno said, patting Smoke for his patience. “Now wrap your arms around me so you don’t slip off,” he added, smiling as she pressed up tight against his back, her arms snug around his middle.
For a while, they rode on through the trees in silence, Janine resting her head against Bruno’s back.
“Are ya cold?” he finally asked, judging that her tantrum had passed.
“No, I’m actually nice and warm riding like this,” she admitted, squirming a little closer.
“How’s your foot?” He could not resist the little jibe.
“Oh, well. It doesn’t hurt anymore,” a small voice replied. “You know it’s really quite pretty out here,” she continued more loudly, changing the subject abruptly.
“Haven’t you ever been out in the mountains?” Bruno asked, shocked. Biders Clump had come into being because of the sheer magnitude of the Rockies that backed it.
The little town had been named when a family traveling the Oregon Trail had decided to stop and bide a while, overwhelmed by the reality of the mountainous trek.
After that when a family was worn out, needed to rest their stock, or simply could not face continuing the arduous journey, they would be told that they could bide in the clump where the first family had settled.
“Daddy doesn’t see any reason to be out in nature. It’s very low class, you know.”
“I’m out in nature all the time,” Bruno said, not feeling even slightly insulted. A shepherd was apt to be told he was far worse things than low class.
“I didn’t mean,” Janine stiffened, letting a cold breeze pass between them, and he patted her hand reassuringly.
“If you look over there,” Bruno began, pointing through the thick pines toward an icy peak. “You can see where the old South Pass moves up through the highest point.”
“The mountains seem so old and so new all at the same time.” Janine turned her head, looking at the grays and whites of the rugged slopes.
“I ride out here lots of times.” Bruno continued, “In the spring, the fields are gold with sheep’s-slip, and turning to green with new grass. On a clear day, you would swear you could touch heaven from up here.”
Janine was quiet for so long that Bruno thought perhaps she had fallen asleep.
“It sounds lovely.”
“It is, and in the fall, when the aspens turn gold, they dance in the wind like polished coins, whispering with the ghosts of every summer past.” His voice was animated.
“I’d like to see that.” Janine tossed her head and her long hair twisted around his arm in a russet cascade.
Bruno shivered as the silken tresses drifted across his bare hands.
“Are you cold?” Janine asked, pulling away, her glorious tresses falling back over her shoulders with a turn of her head.
“No, no,” Bruno’s voice was a gravely rasp, “I ain’t cold.”
This time when Janine snuggled close into his back, Bruno closed his eyes and whispered a prayer.
***
“Barry!” Harlan Dixon’s voice boomed across the bar where a man with black hair and a waxed, handle-bar mustache stood polishing a glass. “Get Jasper here something to settle his nerves.”
Keeping a tight grip on the agitated banker, Harlan steered him to a seat where a few punchers from the Circle D sat.
“Fella’s you know about the terrible event that took place yesterday,” all the men dutifully nodded, “well I was just tellin’ Jasper here how we’d like to help.”
Again, the cowboys nodded seriously. “I know the Sherriff has scouts out and groups that formed up the posse are roaming all over the hills trying to bring back young Janine.”
Mr. Williams groaned and Barry hurried over with a shot of whiskey.
“Now I need to see Mrs. Adams home,” Harlan continued, studiously ignoring the shocked looks his men shared, “but why don’t you fellas put together a plan with Jasper, and I’ll come back with some more of the men and we’ll head in to the hills.”
Jasper lifted the little glass in his hand and tipped the amber liquid back, spluttering at the burning as it raced down his throat. Biders Clump was known for its temperance, and strong liquor was not a common drink in the little town, but there were times when it seemed called for.
“Don’t you worry, Jasper, we’ll get your girl back safe and sound,” Harlan added, pounding the other man on the back as a coughing fit took him.
“Is he alright?” Maud asked a minute later when Harlan pulled himself back into the buggy.
“As right as anyone can be worryin’ like that. My fellas
will keep an eye on him, make him feel like he’s doing something, while the Sherriff is busy getting’ on with his job.”
Maud laid her hand on Harlan’s arm as he lifted the lines. “It’s good to see you again Harlan,” she said softly.
Harlan Dixon hung his head a little, letting his hat cover his shame and slapped leather to the horse’s rump, setting it in motion.
“I also kinda’ promised him I’d bring some more of my men back to help look for Janine,” he grumbled.
***
“Can’t you stay, Rafe?” Sara asked, taking his hand in hers where they stood on the porch of her home.
“With your sister watching me like I might steal the silver at any moment?” He shook his head adamantly.
Sara giggled a bright sound in the crisp air. “Quil is rather dower, isn’t she?”
“I hope your ma gets home pretty quick,” Rafe said. “Maybe she’ll at least trust me to take you for a walk across the yard.”
The sound of an approaching carriage drew their attention and they looked up as one to see a black buggy trundling toward them.
Rafe stepped down off the porch and took the horse's bridle as it came to a stop. Behind him he heard the rest of the family coming outside.
“Mama, I’m so glad you’re home,” Sara said, cutting a scathing look at her oldest sister, who crowded past.
“We’re all glad to see you home,” Prissy agreed.
“Let me help you, Mama,” Quil chimed, hurrying down the stairs.
“Stop your fussing this instant!” Maud snapped. “I’m not so delicate I can’t get into my own house. Harlan, if you’ll give me your arm,” she added, turning away from her daughters.
The three Adams’ girls stood in shocked silence as Harlan Dixon escorted their mother under their roof for the first time.
"Rafe I need ta speak to you," Harlan spoke as he settled Maud in a chair at the kitchen table, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder. The older man turned, looking up at his son. "And stop holding on to that girl as if someone's gonna snatch her away," he grumbled, his hand still resting on Maud's shoulder.
Rafe's eyebrows rose as if trying to meet his hairline, but he pulled his arm from around Sara.
Harlan, suddenly realizing where his hand still rested, pulled it away as if he had been burned. "I got Jasper Williams settled in the saloon before I brung Maud home," he stated. "Got some of our men workin' out a plan to rescue that kid of his."
Rafe nodded, seeing how that would keep the town's banker busy for a while.
"I need you to ride back into town and start organizing, check with the Sheriff if he's around first, but then be ready to ride. The posse's been gone all night and I'll swear it snowed up in the mountains last night, so they might not be moving very fast no more."
"Alright Pa, I'll do my best," Rafe offered, preparing to turn.
"Just one more thing," Harlan's voice was rough, "I need ta 'pologize ta all of you." He seemed to struggle with the words, but cleared his throat and continued. "Seems Maud and me had a bit of a misunderstanding some years back, but now we cleared it up and we're friends again."
Maud Adams looked up wearily, nodding once in approval.
"So, what I'm saying is I'm sorry for being a..., well, being like I was, to all of you."
Shocked silence filled the room as everyone stared at Harlan Dixon.
"You'd best go, Harlan," Maud finally said. "Janine needs to be found as quickly as possible. That girl is not equipped to cope outside of her own circle."
"Rafe, you ride into town." Harlan was all business again, "I'll head to the ranch and round up anyone we can spare and meet you at the saloon or in front of the Sheriff's office."
"I'll walk you out," Sara offered, taking Rafe's hand in hers and turning to the door, her heart torn between joy that she no longer had to hide her feelings for him and worry over her old school chum.
"You be careful," she warned as Rafe leapt into Chester's saddle. "I expect to see you here safe and sound tomorrow," she added, jumping up quickly and planting a kiss on his cheek before racing back into the house.
Chapter 6
Bruno let Smoke drift along the narrow trail at his own pace. Snow still covered obstacles in the path and carrying double was already putting extra strain on the little horse.
“Bruno?” Janine’s voice drifted around his shoulder, “Where do you live?”
The question caught him by surprise. “My pa left me a little house outside Biders Clump.”
“And you work for old Mr. Simon.”
“Yes.” He did not know what else to say because he had no idea where this conversation was going.
“What do you do out there all by yourself?”
“I make little things when I’m not watchin’ sheep.”
“Like that wooden box you brought me when I was ten?”
“Yes.”
For a few minutes the only sound was that of Smoke’s hooves crunching through the snow.
“Thanks for coming for me, Bruno.” Janine’s voice was small but sincere and he folded his hand over hers where they rested around his middle.
Bruno’s momentary distraction from the trail ahead was all it took to spell disaster. As he shifted his hand, Smoke's lead foot slipped into a depression beneath the snow and with a startled huff, the gelding shifted forward, tumbling head first along the slope.
Janine squealed as Bruno pitched forward, dragging her with him as he toppled over the horse’s shoulder into the snow, even as Smoke rolled twice, sliding sideways into a large rock with a shudder.
Bruno was on his feet so fast it seemed he’d never fallen. In an instant, he pulled Janine upright. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice frantic. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m alright, I think,” Janine replied, standing on shaky legs. “Check on Smoke.”
Moving to the mustang’s side where he stood shivering, Bruno began running a hand over the horse’s shoulder and legs. When the pony flinched at his touch, he stopped and looked closer.
“He’s banged his shoulder,” Bruno called back to Janine, poking gently at the injury, causing the horse to toss his head. “I don’t think anything is broken, though.” He eased his hands the rest of the way over his horse, then led him along the trail a few steps.
“Is it bad?” Janine walked up next to him, still brushing snow and twigs off her coat.
“I think he’ll be alright,” Bruno replied. “We’ll need to walk a bit to let him recover though.”
Without thinking he closed his eyes, preparing for the tantrum he knew was coming, but instead Janine Williams reached out and stroked Smoke’s velvety nose compassionately.
“I never thought of it before,” she said, smoothing the pony’s black forelock, “but horses are special animals.”
Bruno blinked, surprised by her musings.
“I mean, they’re really strong and can go fast. If they wanted to they could just run us over and be done with it.” She looked up at Bruno and smiled slightly. “Instead, they’re loyal and hardworking and go where we want to go instead of where they want to, even if sometimes that place is dangerous or scary.”
Bruno chuckled “I’ve known a few that take you where they want to go no matter what.”
“I’m sure that’s true.” Janine was still serious. “But if you think about it, most of them don’t know any better than to trust us.”
Bruno’s heart seemed to grow too big for his chest and he could not find any words. Gently he stepped up to Janine, with her dirty face and her tangled hair, and kissed her on the forehead.
“What did you do that for?” she asked, looking bewildered.
“Cause you’re still the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Bruno croaked.
“Come on, Smoke,” Janine said, laying her hand on the horse’s neck. “We’ll go slow.”
***
“When are you gonna ride?” Jasper Williams demanded. “You said you’d ‘elp me find my girl.” His
words were slightly slurred.
“Now Jasper, we got all these fellas ready to ride.” Harlan Dixon rolled his eyes. “We’re just goin’ over the plan so nothing gets missed.”
The portly banker dropped his head and sniffed. “I just want my little one back home where she belongs,” he stuttered.
Harlan placed a big hand on the other man’s shoulders. “You fellas get a move on now,” he shouted, making the ranch hands jump to their feet with a scrape of chairs.
Rafe winked at one of the longtime hands, Dobbs, who shook his head slightly, understanding Harlan’s dramatic flair.
“You come along with me, Jasper,” the stocky rancher continued, ignoring his men. “We’ll head over to your place and make sure everything’s ready for when Janine comes home.”
As one, the cowboys trailed out of the saloon behind the two older men, only to stop short when a group of bedraggled looking riders shuffled slowly down the street.
“They caught them!” Jasper exclaimed, stepping awkwardly into the street. “Where’s my girl, where’s my Janine?” he wailed, looking at the weary crew.
“We didn’t find her,” Ferd, the town deputy, spoke up. “We only caught these four and got some of the loot back.”
“But five men robbed my bank and rode off with my girl.” Jasper’s face was bright red in his agitation.
“Mr. Williams,” Ferd drawled, “me and the men is tired. We brought in these four men but the leader got away. The Sheriff is still up in them hills trackin’ that man and we hope and pray he brings Janine home safe and sound, but right now we’re cold, tired and hungry.”
He looked around as the other men nodded in agreement. “We’re gonna take these men to the jail then get some grub. If you want to come along you’re welcome or you can come over later.” With his last word, he kicked his weary horse into motion and moved slowly down the street.
Jasper Williams visibly sagged, as if something inside him was deflating.
“Jasper, you come with me,” Harlan said quietly, his hand still on the other man’s shoulder. “Rafe, you take the rest of the men and head to the jail to see what you can do,” he added over his shoulder.