Sourdough Creek

by Caroline Fyffe

  “It’s all right.” Her chin tipped up and she didn’t look too sad at her loss. “I wear it always for courage. And to feel his nearness. I’ll always wear it.”

  Sam nodded. They were almost back. He didn’t want to end the conversation on this sour note, but there wasn’t anything he could think of to lighten the moment.

  Cassie let Sam open the door for her, all the while chastising herself. The lie she’d just told was outrageous. He’d sounded so accusing it had just slipped out. And once she’d got going it had snowballed into a whopper. Looking up, she gasped.

  “Cassie,” Josephine cried out, and held out her arms. “You’re back.” Josephine was sitting in the rocking chair. A soft quilt covered her lap and shoulders. A big grin creased her face when she saw her sister.

  Cassie laughed and rushed over. Her relief was overwhelming and tears sprang to her eyes. “Yes, you little muskrat, I’m here.” They rocked together in a tight embrace, neither one willing to let go first.

  “I hope you don’t mind we brought Josephine down,” Grace said. “Her fever is practically gone and it’s only a matter of time before she’s completely better. She really wanted to run down to the jailhouse but I told her she’d have to wait for you here.”

  “No, I don’t mind,” was all Cassie could get past the lump in her throat. She wiped away tears with the back of her hand, and then pulled back so she could look into Josephine’s face. “You gave us a scare, you know. I don’t know what to do with you.”

  Josephine just giggled. A silly grin appeared as she looked up at Sam. “Hi, Sam.”

  “Hi, yourself. I’m glad you’re feeling better. How’s that arm?”

  Josephine pulled up her sleeve to show everyone. “Better. See?”

  To Cassie the scratches still looked nasty, but her smile never wavered. “They sure are, aren’t they Sam? So much better than before.”

  “Why, I can hardly see ’em,” Sam replied, going along with her. He nodded to Grace and Annabelle. “You did a…fine job,” he said almost inaudibly. He seemed in deep reflection looking at Josephine, as if struggling with an inner thought. “Thank you,” he added after a moment.

  “Meeeooooow.” Everyone heard the pitiful crying at the front door, followed by a light scratching.

  Josephine’s eyes widened. “Is that Ashes?”

  Sam was the closest to the door so he reached over and opened it. Ashes took stock of everyone in the room, then carefully stepped in as if she had all the time in the world. She stopped just past the threshold.

  Josephine scrambled from the rocker before anyone could stop her and ran the few feet to where her cat waited. She scooped her up.

  Grace and Annabelle couldn’t hold back their laughter any longer. Happy voices filled the room. There was a knock on the door and Jonathan stepped in. He went straight to Annabelle’s side.

  “Sounds like good news,” he said, reaching for Annabelle. They embraced momentarily and then faced the group. “I see things are turning out here as well as they did down at the jailhouse.”

  “They are,” Grace replied, giving him a quick squeeze too. “Josephine is feeling stronger and her temperature is all but gone.”

  “Well, I’ll be!” Jonathan looked down at the cat in Josephine’s arms. “Who do you have there?”

  Sam heaved a sigh. “The mangy creature that started this whole business in the first place.”

  Cassie reached down and stroked the cat’s dark gray fur. “Remember what you told me, Sam, not a half hour ago. This mangy critter saved your mangy hide when that outlaw was fixing to shoot you.”

  “Really?” Josephine asked, her eyes widening. The cat looked unperturbed. “Is that right, Sam? Did Ashes help you?”

  “As much as it pains me to admit it, yes, she did. She jumped out of the shadows just as the outlaw aimed his gun at me and darted between his boots. His shot went wild and missed me by a country mile.”

  “She’s a hero! She’s a hero!” Josephine shook with happiness. “Cassie, can I get her a cup of milk for helping Sam with the outlaws? I think she deserves one, poor kitty.”

  Annabelle started for the kitchen. “I agree with Josephine. I think it’s the least we can do for such a brave cat. I’ll get a nice big saucer of milk. Josephine, you stay there.”

  Jonathan followed Annabelle and the two disappeared into the other room. Cassie and Grace exchanged a knowing look. Sam smiled.

  “It’s a shame David isn’t here to give away his daughter’s hand away in marriage,” Grace said. “I doubt those two will wait much longer.”

  Sam shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I suspect you’re right. I also think it would be a good thing to get Annabelle’s mind off the grief of losing her father.”

  “Why, Sam!” Grace said as she went about putting away the things they’d used in nursing Josephine. “I didn’t know you were such a romantic. That’s astute of you.” She smiled and cleared her throat softly. “I’m surprised that some lucky woman hasn’t snapped you up for a husband before now. What are you waiting for?” She handed him the extra lantern they’d gotten down the night before, not waiting for his answer and asked, “Can you place this up there, Sam? It’s a little too high for me to reach.”

  Cassie had to look away, as she was sure Grace was batting her eyelashes at Sam. Swallowing uneasily, she directed her gaze to the top of Josephine’s fuzzy head and kept it there. What was Grace up to? Was she prompting Sam and her, or did she have designs on him herself?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The room was closing in on Sam. Now that the showdown with the outlaws was over, he’d just as soon get back on the trail. Unfortunately, because of Josephine, it might be a few days before that would be possible. He moved to the door. “I’m going over to the livery to check on Blu and the other horses. Don’t know how well Split Ear is fitting in over there being he’s such a cantankerous sort.”

  “Is Pepper there, too?” Josephine asked.

  “Yeah, all the horses are there. I just want to make sure they’re getting enough to eat.” He really just needed out of this room filled with females.

  “Here we are,” Annabelle said, as she and Jonathan came back into the room and placed a saucer of milk on the floor.

  “I’m off, too,” Grace said, reaching for her shawl, which hung on a hook by the door. “I’m going home to fix supper for you all. I have everything I need so please don’t be fussing over anything. I think it’ll do everyone good to get out of this office and sit at a nice dinner table set with china. It’s important to remember some of the finer things in life.”

  Sam opened the door and held it for Grace.

  “Supper will be on the table at seven-thirty. It’ll be hot so don’t be late.” She passed through the door under his arm.

  Sam looked at Cassie as he pushed his hat down on his brow. “I’ll be at the livery if anything comes up.” He tugged the brim. “If time runs short and I’m not back here, I’ll just meet you over at Grace’s. By the way, where is your house, Grace?”

  “One block over, second house from the corner,” she said, waiting on the boardwalk for him. “You can’t miss my flower boxes and little white fence. I’ll point it out to you from the livery. Cassie, it’s easy to find. It’s bright yellow, next to the church.”

  “I need to go too and check on things at the jail,” Jonathan said. “Those men are still a dangerous bunch, even locked up.” He put his hat on and moved toward the door. “I won’t rest easy until there’s a sheriff in town and those men are either in prison or hanged. Either way is fine with me.”

  “Bye, Sam,” Josephine shouted as the door closed behind the three people. “Pet Pepper for me. Or, give him an apple!”

  “Shhh,” Cassie admonished. “I’m sure Pepper heard you all the way from here.” She turned to Annabelle. “Do you think Grace would like me to take something over for dinner? It’s kind of her to do all that work. I hate to think about her cooking for so many people al
l by herself, especially since…”

  Cassie stopped herself before she mentioned Annabelle’s father.

  “She’s fine. If she’d wanted you to bring something she would have asked. She’s a really fine cook and does this every Sunday evening for my father and Jonathan and me. Until Daddy…” Annabelle’s face clouded. She gathered herself and continued, “Her own father is elderly and eats like a bird. I suspect Josephine doesn’t eat all that much either so it’s really only two more to prepare for than she’s used to.”

  Cassie thought about everything Grace and Annabelle had already done for her and Josephine. They were such good friends. Instantly she felt badly about what she’d been thinking about Grace and Sam just a short time ago. Sam wasn’t her beau even in the remotest sense and she’d best remember that. Traveling together had a way of bringing people together, though, whether they intended it or not. For some reason Sam seemed to feel responsible for getting her and Josephine to the claim in California. He and Uncle Arvid must be close friends.

  “Cassie, do you mind if I lie down for a while? I suddenly feel tired,” Annabelle said, her eyes searching.

  “Of course not! Please, take as long as you like. Josephine and I will go upstairs to the room I rested in, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Consider it your room until you go.”

  “But, it’s your father’s room. Where will you stay as your father was in yours?”

  Annabelle reached down and stroked the cat that was now finished with her milk and washing her face with her paw. “While you were down checking out the happenings at the jailhouse Grace and I changed the sheets in both rooms, and freshened everything up. Gave us something to do besides twiddling our thumbs. We figured you’d be staying for a couple of days at the least.”

  Again Cassie felt overwhelmed with gratitude. “I wished you’d waited for me to help. You all have already done so much for us. We’re indebted to you.”

  “Don’t be silly. You’d have done the same for us, I’m sure.”

  Annabelle moved to the door of her room. “If you need anything just make yourself at home.” Yawning, she rested her head on the door jam. “Now, I’m going to get a nap before dinner tonight. I think you could use one too, if Josephine feels generous enough to let you sleep.” She went in and closed the door.

  “Come on, you.” She bent down and picked Josephine up. “We’re going upstairs.”

  Cassie took the steps carefully, one at a time, until she was on the upstairs landing. Ashes trotted up behind.

  It was evident Grace and Annabelle had made the room homey. Her and Josephine’s coats hung on a peg and their saddlebags sat neatly next to the dresser. The pillows on the bed were fluffed and the corner of the quilt turned down invitingly, exposing immaculate white sheets. A jar of water with drinking glasses, and a vase of flowers, finished off the room. Suddenly Cassie felt exhausted.

  “Are you tired at all, Josephine? I don’t think you can be after all the sleeping you’ve been doing. I’d like to take a little rest myself. What will you do if I sleep for a while?”

  “I can sit in the chair and play with Ashes.” She climbed up into the big chair. “Here kitty, kitty, kitty,” she said, patting her lap. “I’ll stay right here until you wake up.” The cat jumped up onto Josephine’s lap and started rubbing back and forth. “I won’t move an inch.”

  Cassie arched an eyebrow. On her way to the bed, she stopped in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection. Lacking. That was the word that best described her. She ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair, trying to fluff it. If only it was still long and she had her blue dress with the white eyelet. Well, she didn’t. All the wishing in the world wasn’t going to change that. Sighing, she winked at her sister as Josephine watched her in the reflection. “We are what we are,” she said and nodded. “Be a good girl. I won’t sleep long.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Cassie awoke with a start. She glanced about. Not finding Josephine, she jumped from the bed and ran down the stairs in a panic. She found her sister in the kitchen sitting on top of the table. Flour covered her from head to toe as she moved a big spoon around a porcelain bowl.

  “What are you doing?”

  Josephine jumped at the sound of Cassie’s voice. Her face turned red. “I got hungry, Cassie. Don’t be ma…”

  Relief that her sister was actually back to her normal, mischievous self, chased away Cassie’s irritation. “Well, Grace is going to have a beautiful dinner for you tonight.” She smiled. “Now run upstairs and change into your clean shirt while I straighten up this mess. Don’t forget to wash your face.”

  A half hour later, Cassie held Josephine’s hand as she knocked on the door. Grace had been right. It was impossible to miss her home. Besides the bright yellow color, it was as immaculate as a storybook house, as was the darling little church that stood to its left, set back a hundred feet or so from the street.

  Annabelle had slept into the evening, and insisted that the girls go on ahead so they wouldn’t keep Grace waiting. She’d said Jonathan would stop by to pick her up shortly.

  Cassie knocked again, hearing noises coming from within. Nervously, she glanced around, looking for Sam. He hadn’t returned to Dr. Hershey’s before it was time to leave and she wondered what had kept him away.

  “Come in. Welcome,” Grace said, sweeping her arm wide so the two could enter. “I’m so happy you made it.”

  The entry was attractive, with yellow striped wall covering and a beautiful hand-woven rug. Two wall lanterns burned on either side of a large gold-rimmed mirror, and tantalizing aromas of meat simmering and coffee brewing made Cassie’s mouth water.

  “Thank you, Grace.” Cassie released Josephine’s hand and helped her little sister out of her coat. Then removing her own, she hung them up on the hooks on the wall.

  “And how is Josephine tonight?” Grace said, pulling the little girl into a hug. “It seems like days since I’ve seen you although in reality it’s only been a couple hours.”

  Cassie smiled. “She’s much better. No fever and she’s hungry as a horse.” She’d have some scars to remind them all of how close she’d come to dying, but that seemed her only ill effect from the episode. She was once again rested and full of vim and vigor. She’d be running around tomorrow, Cassie had no doubt.

  Josephine’s bottom lip jetted out. “Cassie wouldn’t let me bring Ashes. She said it’s not polite to bring a pet over to someone’s house. I had to leave her locked on the back porch. Could she have come to dinner, too?”

  Graced laughed and released her hold on Josephine, walking toward the sitting room. “Follow me. There’s someone I’d like you two to meet. I think it just might answer your question.”

  In the next room was an old man resting in a big plaid chair with a white dog, no bigger than a minute, sitting in his lap. The dog’s ears were pricked, his little obsidian eyes watched intently as they walked into the room.

  “I’m not sure if my father’s dog would’ve appreciated you bringing Ashes, Josephine. I do know it’ll be a much quieter evening without the two of them, um, getting to know each other.”

  Josephine shrugged. “Guess you’re right.”

  Grace beckoned them closer. “This is my father, William Hearthgrove. Papa, this is Cassie and Josephine Angel, the girls I’ve been telling you so much about. Without them and their friend Sam Ridgeway, our town would’ve suffered so much more at the hands of those evil outlaws. We’re indebted.”

  William Hearthgrove smiled, his face becoming a maze of wrinkles, running this way and that. The gray hair on his head was thinned to the point of being a distant idea of what it might once have been, and he had few teeth. But his eyes shone brightly and it was impossible to look away. Cassie wondered if she’d ever met anyone so old who had such exuberance of youth.

  “I’m pleased to meet you.” He stood and held out his hand to the girls while holding his dog in the other.

  Surprising Cassie,
Josephine went right up to shake his hand, and then petted the little dog, totally unafraid. “I like your dog.”

  “His name is Buddy,” the man replied with a smile.

  Buddy wagged his tail vigorously and licked Josephine’s hand when she extended it. “He’s really friendly,” the man continued. “Would you like to hold him?”

  “Is it okay?”

  As Grace’s father passed the little dog over to Josephine there was a knock on the door. Grace hurried off to open it. Cassie heard Grace’s greeting and Sam’s deep voice saying something back. Excitement zinged this way and that as she realized she was excited to see him. She missed him during their hours apart.

  Sam stepped into the sitting room almost bashfully, his hat dangling in his fingertips. It was obvious he’d gone somewhere and bathed and shaved and it even looked as if he’d gotten his hair trimmed, too. His starched blue shirt looked new and his expressive dark eyes were unreadable as his brows arched up in the same amused way as when he’d first seen Josephine boxing the cat. His rugged male aura filled the room and Cassie had to look away for fear he’d know what she was thinking.

  Question was, what was she thinking?

  “Evenin’,” he said, his deep voice enveloping Cassie like a soft, warm blanket. Cassie forced a “hello” from her throat.

  “Sam, this is my father, William Hearthgrove. Papa, this is Sam Ridgeway.”

  “Hi, Sam,” Josephine interrupted. “This is Buddy.” She approached Sam with the dog in her arms. She looked tiny next to him.

  “Cute little fella,” Sam said, stopping with his hand halfway toward the dog, a faux worried look on his face. “You sure he won’t bite me?”

  He winked at Cassie and she felt a thrill course through her body and warm her face. How she wished she owned a pretty dress! Something to show Sam she was more than a tomboy. At the moment her boy’s clothes felt all the shabbier.

  “Buddy would never hurt a flea, would he, Mr. Hearthgrove?” Josephine squeezed the dog so tight his black button eyes widened. “His heart is beating faster than a squirrel after an acorn.”